Ban on the sale of unapproved potable water treatment units

The Québec edition of the new National Plumbing Code prohibits the sale of unapproved products. This prohibition came into force on October 2, 2008.

The RBQ informs dealers that the sale or lease of drinking potable water treatment units that have not been approved by recognized certification bodies is prohibited.

Specifics

1. Water disinfection systems using ultraviolet light designed to meet the requirements of the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water, approved by O.C. 647‑2001 dated May 30, 2001, must meet one of the following standards:
   • NSF/ANSI 55, Ultraviolet Microbiological Water Treatment Systems, or
   • CAN/CSA B483.1, Drinking Water Treatment Systems, if they are designed to be installed at the point of use.
2. Reverse osmosis potable water treatment systems installed at the point of use and designed to meet the requirements of the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water must comply with standard CAN/CSA B483.1, Drinking Water Treatment Systems.
3. Potable water distillation systems designed to meet the requirements of the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water must meet one of the following standards:
   • NSF/ANSI 62, Drinking Water Distillation Systems, or
   • CAN/CSA B483.1, Drinking Water Treatment Systems, if they are designed to be installed at the point of use.
4. Potable water treatment systems not covered by points 1 to 3 above that are designed to meet the requirements of the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water must meet one of the following standards:
   • NSF/ANSI 53, Drinking Water Treatment Units - Health Effects, or
   • CAN/CSA B483.1, Drinking Water Treatment Systems, if they are designed to be installed at the point of use.
5. Potable water treatment units not covered by points 1 to 4 above must comply with standard CAN/CSA B483.1, Drinking Water Treatment Systems.

In accordance with the RBQ’s mission, these amendments to the Construction Code are intended to ensure the quality of plumbing work and the safety of users. The requirements aimed at protecting the drinking water supply were established in concert with the ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, which bears responsibility for that area.

The first version of this text was published in a bulletin Info-RBQ (2222-43) in June 2008. The information you find on this page were then updated according to regulatory or administrative changes.