Survey of Drinking Water Plants, 2015

Survey of Drinking Water Plants, 2015
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GENERAL INFORMATION

Purpose

The Survey of Drinking Water Plants is conducted to provide Canadians with national and regional information related to the production of drinking water.

Additional information

This survey collects information on the quantity of water processed by plants that draw raw water from the environment to produce potable water. The plants in the survey range in size from ones that use complex treatment processes for surface water to ones that use minimal treatment for groundwater. This data will be used to track the state of water supply and demand on a regional basis in Canada and to develop environmental accounts.

NOTE: This document was created for information only. To see the actual questionnaire, please refer to the PDF version.

Authority

This survey is conducted under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19.
COMPLETION OF THIS QUESTIONNAIRE IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT UNDER THIS ACT.

Confidentiality

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada will use the information from this survey for statistical purposes.

Data-sharing agreements

To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial
statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use
them only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share data from this survey with those organizations that have demonstrated a requirement to use the data.

Section 11 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with provincial and territorial statistical agencies that meet certain conditions. These agencies must have the legislative authority to collect the same information, on a mandatory basis, and the legislation must provide substantially the same provisions for confidentiality and penalties for disclosure of confidential information as the Statistics Act. Because these agencies have the legal authority to compel businesses to provide the same information, consent is not requested and businesses may not object to the sharing of the data.

For this survey, there are Section 11 agreements with the provincial and territorial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon. The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations. Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut as well as with Health Canada, Environment Canada and Infrastructure Canada.

For agreements with provincial and territorial government organizations, the shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Record linkage

To enhance the data from this survey and to minimize the reporting burden, Statistics Canada may combine it with information from other surveys or from administrative sources.

Security of emails and faxes

Statistics Canada advises you that there could be a risk of disclosure during the transmission of information by facsimile or e-mail. However, upon receipt, Statistics Canada will provide the guaranteed level of protection afforded all information collected under the authority of the Statistics Act.

Return procedures

Please return the completed questionnaire within 60 days of receipt using the enclosed envelope, or fax it to 1-888-883-7999. If you have any questions, or need to make alternate arrangements, please call 1-866-445-4323.

Instructions

The people in the best position to complete this questionnaire are those who are familiar with plant processes, capital expenditures and operating costs. Consultation with various departments within your organization maybe necessary to report the combined total for all water facilities/sources listed in this questionnaire.

The following information for all drinking water production facilities-sources: monthly drinking water production volumes and units of measure, source water types, the proportion of water used by residential and non-residential sectors, methods of water treatment, capital expenditures and operation and maintenance costs.

Section 1 Drinking Water Plant Information

Section 1 Drinking Water Plant Information - Question identifier:1.

In 20XX, did the facility identified on the mailing label withdraw water from the environment, in order to treat and/or convey potable water to a permanent community of 300 or more people?

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Source/Raw Water Type

Indicate the percentage and type of source water (raw water) obtained for processing by this facility below. If there are multiple water facilities/sources associated with the facility identified on the mailing label, complete this part to represent the total for all associated sources.

Indicate the number of production facilities for each source water type where raw water withdrawn from the environment was treated and/or conveyed as potable water to a distribution system.

Type of source water (raw water)

Source/Raw Water Type - Question identifier:2.

Surface water

Source/Raw Water Type - Question identifier:3.

Groundwater

Source/Raw Water Type - Question identifier:4.

GUDI - Groundwater Under Direct Influence of surface water

Facility Location and Coordinates

Facility Location and Coordinates - Question identifier:5.

If there are multiple water facilities/sources being reported for the facility identified on the mailing label, enter the location and coordinates for the facility that produced the largest volume of potable water in 20XX.
List the names of other facilities/sources in the comments section.

  • 01: Address number
  • 02: Street or road name
  • 03: Street type (Rd, Ave, etc.)
  • 04: Name of township or municipality
  • 05: Postal code
  • 06: There is no civic address

Facility Location and Coordinates - Question identifier:6.

Facility Coordinates (decimal degrees)

  • 01: Latitude
  • 02: Longitude

Facility Location and Coordinates - Question identifier:7.

Facility Coordinates (degrees, minutes, seconds)

  • 01: Latitude
  • 02: Longitude

Facility Location and Coordinates - Question identifier:8.

Facility Coordinates (Universal Transverse Mercator - UTM zone, eastings and northings)

  • 01: Zone
  • 02: Eastings
  • 03: Northings

Plant Capacity

Plant Capacity - Question identifier:9.

What was the maximum rated treatment capacity of this facility in 20XX?

Plant Capacity - Question identifier:10.

Select the unit and the time period for the capacity value in question 9.

Unit

  • a): Cubic metres
  • b): Litres
  • c): Mega Litres (1 million litres)
  • d): Imperial gallons (1 imperial gallon = 4.5 litres)
  • e): U.S. gallons (1 U.S. gallon = 3.8 litres)
  • f): Other (specify units clearly)

Time period

  • 01: Per second
  • 02: Per minute
  • 03: Per day
  • 04: Per year
  • 05: Other (specify)

Plant Capacity - Question identifier:11.

How many days in 20XX did the facility operate at greater than 90% capacity?

Sector Use and Population Served

Sector Use and Population Served - Question identifier:12.

Of the total potable water produced, indicate the percentage consumed by each category below. If only some portions are known, indicate their percentages in the relevant boxes. If exact numbers are not known please provide your best estimate. Consult with other departments within your organization if necessary.

  • 01: Residential
  • 02: Industrial, commercial, institutional, agricultural, municipal services and other non-residential
  • 03: Losses from the distribution system (leaks, system maintenance and flushing)
  • 04: Wholesale water provided to other jurisdictions

Sector Use and Population Served - Question identifier:13.

What source(s) of information were used for the sector use percentages? Mark all that apply.

  • 01: Specific study/analysis for this facility
  • 02: Water billing accounts
  • 03: Other (specify)

Sector Use and Population Served - Question identifier:14.

What was the size of the population served by this Drinking Water Plant in 20XX? Indicate the number of persons, the number of connections or other units used.

  • 01: Persons
  • 02: Connections
  • 03: Other (specify)

Sector Use and Population Served - Question identifier:15.

What source(s) of information were used for the size of the population served? Mark all that apply.

  • 01: Specific study/analysis for this facility
  • 02: Water billing accounts
  • 03: Census data
  • 04: Other (specify)

Section 2 Potable Water Volumes

Section 2 Potable Water Volumes - Question identifier:16.

Report by month below the volumes of potable water produced by this drinking water facility. If there are multiple water facilities/sources being reported for the facility identified on the mailing label, report the combined total for all associated sources.

Section 2 Potable Water Volumes - Question identifier:17.

Monthly potable water volumes are to be reported in the units used at the drinking water facility. Select the unit of measure for the volumes produced for all volumes reported in this section.

  • a): January
  • b): February
  • c): March
  • d): April
  • e): May
  • f): June
  • g): July
  • h): August
  • i): September
  • j): October
  • k): November
  • l): December
  • m): TOTAL

Unit

  • 01: Cubic metres
  • 02: Litres
  • 03: Mega Litres (1 million litres)
  • 04: Imperial gallons (1 imperial gallon = 4.5 litres)
  • 05: U.S. gallons (1 U.S. gallon = 3.8 litres)
  • 06: Other (specify units clearly)

Section 2 Potable Water Volumes - Question identifier:18.

Are potable water volumes metered or estimated?

  • 01: Metered
  • 02: Estimated

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:19.

Are there multiple water facilities that withdraw raw water directly from the environment being reported for the facility identified on the mailing label?

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:20.

Does each facility use the same water treatment process?

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:21.

For the facility that produced the largest volume of potable water, indicate what percentage of the total volume it represents.

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:22.

Is the raw water withdrawn by this facility conveyed directly without treatment as potable water for consumption?
Note: disinfection only (e.g. chlorination) is a treatment process.

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:23.

Microscreening

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:24.

Other pre-treatment (specify)

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Unit Processes for Water Treatment - Disinfection/oxidation

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:25.

Chlorination (hypochlorites or chlorine gas)

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:26.

Chlorine dioxide

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:27.

Chloramination

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:28.

UV irradiation

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:29.

Ozonation

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:30.

Application of potassium permanganate
(Indicate "no" if only used to recharge a greensand filtration system)

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:31.

Other disinfection/oxidation reagents

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Unit Processes for Water Treatment - Chemical treatment or addition

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:32.

Fluoridation
(if 'yes', mark all those applied)

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No
  • 1a: Sodium fluoride
  • 1b: Sodium silicofluoride
  • 1c: Hydro-fluosilicic acid
  • 1d: Ammonium silicofluoride

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:33.

Alkalinity adjustment for process control

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:34.

PH adjustment for process control

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:35.

Corrosion control - pH adjustment

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:36.

Corrosion control - alkalinity adjustment

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:37.

Corrosion control - inhibitors
(if 'yes', mark all those applied)

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No
  • 1a: Orthophosphates
  • 1b: Polyphosphates
  • 1c: Silicates
  • 1d: Other

Unit Processes for Water Treatment - Coagulation/flocculation and filter aid

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:38.

Coagulation - aluminum based coagulant

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:39.

Coagulation - ferric based coagulant

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:40.

Other coagulant

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:41.

Enhanced coagulation

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:42.

Flocculation

Unit Processes for Water Treatment - Clarification/sedimentation

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:43.

Sedimentation - conventional, tube, plate or high rate

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:44.

Dissolved air flotation (DAF) - conventional or high rate

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:45.

Other clarification - (sludge blanket, pulsed blanket,ballasted, solids contact or other)

Unit Processes for Water Treatment - Filtration

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:46.

Filtration - granular media (single, dual or triple media)

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:47.

Granular activated carbon - used as part of filter media

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:48.

Granular activated carbon - used as separate unit process

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:49.

Filtration - membrane (microfiltration) - 0.1-10 microns

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:50.

Filtration - membrane (ultrafiltration) - 0.01-0.1 microns

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:51.

Filtration - cartridge/bag

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:52.

Filtration - slow sand

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Unit Processes for Water Treatment - Other processes

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:53.

Aeration - transfer of oxygen or air to water

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:54.

Air stripping - contacting water with air to transfer contaminants to air

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:55.

Lime softening

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:56.

Activated alumina

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:57.

Ion exchange

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:58.

Sequestering

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:59.

Greensand filtration

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:60.

Powdered activated carbon

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:61.

Reverse osmosis or nano filtration

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 3 Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier:62.

Other processes (specify)

  • 01: Yes
  • 02: No

Section 4 Annual Treatment Costs for the Calendar Year

Capital Expenditures

Capital Expenditures - Question identifier:63.

Capital expenditures ($) (the current reference period and previous year)

Operation and Maintenance Costs

Operation and Maintenance Costs - Question identifier:64.

Operation and Maintenance costs ($)

  • 01: Materials (chemicals and replacement parts)
  • 02: Labour (internal and external staff)
  • 03: Energy (e.g., electricity, natural gas, diesel, other)
  • 04: Other (specify)
  • 05: Total

Section 5 Raw Surface Water Quality Data

Section 5 Raw Surface Water Quality Data - Question identifier:65.

Report monthly values for Escherichia coli in raw water.

Units

  • a: Colony forming units per 100 millilitres (cfu/100 mL)
  • b: Most Probable Number per 100 millilitres (MPN/100 mL)
  • c: Presence/Absence (P/A)
  • 01: January
  • 02: February
  • 03: March
  • 04: April
  • 05: May
  • 06: June
  • 07: July
  • 08: August
  • 09: September
  • 10: October
  • 11: November
  • 12: December
  • A): Number of samples per month (enter 0 if not sampled, 999 for continuous monitoring)
  • B): Minimum value per month (not applicable if reporting P/A)
  • C): Maximum value per month (Number of positive samples if reporting P/A)
  • D): Average value per month (not applicable if reporting P/A)

Section 5 Raw Surface Water Quality Data - Question identifier:66.

Report monthly values for turbidity of raw water.

  • 01: January
  • 02: February
  • 03: March
  • 04: April
  • 05: May
  • 06: June
  • 07: July
  • 08: August
  • 09: September
  • 10: October
  • 11: November
  • 12: December
  • A: Number of samples per month (enter 0 if not sampled, 999 for continuous monitoring)
  • B: Minimum value per month (Nephelometric turbidity units (NTU))
  • C: Maximum value per month (Nephelometric turbidity units (NTU))
  • D: Average value per month (Nephelometric turbidity units (NTU))

Section 5 Raw Surface Water Quality Data - Question identifier:67.

Report monthly values for temperature of raw water.

  • 01: January
  • 02: February
  • 03: March
  • 04: April
  • 05: May
  • 06: June
  • 07: July
  • 08: August
  • 09: September
  • 10: October
  • 11: November
  • 12: December
  • A: Number of samples per month (enter 0 if not sampled, 999 for continuous monitoring)
  • B: Minimum value per month (degrees Celsius (°C))
  • C: Maximum value per month (degrees Celsius (°C))
  • D: Average value per month (degrees Celsius (°C))

Section 6 Comments

Section 6 Comments - Question identifier:68.

Approximately how long did it take to collect the data and complete this survey?

  • 01: Hour(s)
  • 02: Minute(s)

Section 6 Comments - Question identifier:69.

We invite your comments on any section of this survey below. Please be assured that we review all comments with the intent of improving the survey.

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