Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. Krutko on February 22, 2001 regarding certification policies for water treatment plant operators and that our drinking water meets the standards set by national guidelines.
Various systems have been put in place in order to ensure that our drinking water is safe and meets the standards set by the national guidelines. These systems include regular water quality sampling, in accordance with the NWT Drinking Water Quality Sample Protocol, and immediate action by environmental health officers when water sampling results indicate a possible problem with the drinking water. Sampling results confirm that public water supplies in the NWT consistently conform to the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality and the NWT Water Supply Regulations.
In the NWT, the certification of water treatment plant operators is not legislated. However, it is strongly encouraged. The Northwest Territories Water and Waste Association does provide voluntary certification. Certification of operators is based on a combination of formal education, experience, training and examination. Certification is also related to the classification of the facility where the operator is employed. Four classes of certification are provided: restricted small system classification, small system certification, and class 1 and class 2 water plant classifications. There are 43 certified water treatment plant operators in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.