Data quality, concepts and methodology: Data sources and methodology

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Reference period

The information contained in this report reflects the quantity and quality of raw/source water and treated/potable ¹  water processed by individual drinking water treatment plants, the treatment systems used and the associated costs for the calendar years 2005, 2006 and 2007. The intention is to make the Survey of Drinking Water Plants a biennial survey.

Survey frame

The target population is composed of drinking water facilities licensed and regulated by provincial/territorial agencies that draw and process raw/source water from the environment and convey treated/potable water for consumption. The survey does not include information on the distribution of treated water. The target population is derived from a survey frame that was built in 2007 when Statistics Canada requested the inventories of drinking water plants held by the provinces and territories.

Excluding systems that supply water to communities with less than 300 people and other regulated systems that service schools, camp grounds, commercial establishments, provincial parks, etc., a survey frame of approximately 2,600 drinking water facilities serving communities of 300 or more people was compiled, the majority being publicly-owned (municipal) systems.

During collection and follow-up with non-respondents, approximately 400 drinking water facilities on the frame were identified as being out-of-scope (that is, the facilities served fewer than 300 people in 2007 or systems that only distributed water). Due to low response in Nunavut, and given that there is neither historical information nor a sufficient outside source of information for Nunavut, Nunavut is not included in any of the estimates.

Coverage and sample selection

This survey is a census with a cross-sectional design. Data are collected for all units of the target population, therefore no sampling is done.

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