Restrictions on Drinking Water Consumption or Taste and Odour Problems BUI 9 Overview

Not Impaired

Why was this BUI originally listed as not impaired?

• The status of this BUI was listed as impaired in the 1991 Stage 1 RAP Report and the 1996 RAP Update report because of a type of blue-green algae called Geosmin.

This BUI will be considered to be ‘not impaired’ when….

Treatment (i.e., settling, coagulation, disinfection) required to bring raw river water to a quality that will meet provincial drinking water standards does not exceed the standard treatment used in comparable areas of the Great Lakes, and When surveys of drinking water providers confirm that there are no statistically significant taste and odour problems.

What was done?

• Water treatment facilities & upgrades: Albert H. Weeks Water Treatment Plant in Windsor and the Water Treatment Plant in Amherstburg
• Windsor Utilities Commission: Monitoring levels of Geosmin and MIB (2-methylisoborneol) at the Windsor Water Treatment Plant
• The only complaints received were about the smell of chlorine

When did the status change?

• The status changed to not impaired in 2010

The bi-national connection: What is the U.S. doing?

• This BUI is also not impaired in the Detroit River American AOC

Where can I learn more?

Detroit River Canadian Remedial Action Plan: Stage 2 Report (2010): pages 68-76.