| #Q001 | operational | operational | recommended | Risk Management Approach Implementation | drinking water | All water utilities should implement a risk management approach such as the source-to-tap or water safety plan approach to ensure water safety (CCME, 2004; WHO, 2011, 2012). | | high |
| #Q002 | operational | operational | mandatory | System Assessment Requirements | drinking water | These approaches require a system assessment to 1) characterize the source water; 2) describe the treatment barriers that prevent or reduce contamination; 3) identify the conditions that can result in contamination; and 4) implement control measures. | When implementing a risk management approach | high |
| #Q003 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Operational Monitoring and Protocols | drinking water | Operational monitoring is then established and operational/management protocols are instituted (for example, standard operating procedures, corrective actions and incident responses). | As part of the risk management approach | high |
| #Q004 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Compliance Monitoring and Validation Protocols | drinking water | Compliance monitoring is determined and other protocols to validate the water safety plan are implemented (for example, record keeping, consumer satisfaction). | As part of the risk management approach | high |
| #Q005 | operational | operational | mandatory | Operator Training | drinking water | Operator training is also required to ensure the effectiveness of the water safety plan at all times (Smeets et al., 2009). | | high |
| #Q006 | operational | operational | recommended | Source Water Characterization | drinking water | Source water characterization should be part of routine system assessments. | | high |
| #Q007 | administrative | operational | recommended | Authority Consultation for Boron Monitoring | drinking water | Therefore, utilities should consult the responsible authority to determine if boron may be present in groundwater in their area before establishing monitoring requirements. | Before establishing monitoring requirements | high |
| #Q008 | monitoring | treatment | recommended | Treatment Operational Monitoring | drinking water | Where treatment is required to remove boron, operational monitoring should be implemented to confirm whether the treatment process is functioning as required. | Where treatment is required to remove boron | high |
| #Q009 | monitoring | treatment | recommended | Compliance Monitoring Frequency | drinking water | Compliance monitoring (that is, paired samples of source and treated water to confirm the efficacy of treatment) should be conducted quarterly. | | high |
| #Q010 | monitoring | operational | guidance | Distribution System Accumulation Confirmation | drinking water | However, utilities that have aluminium or iron oxide deposits may need to confirm that the accumulation and release of boron (along with other metals such as manganese, arsenic and uranium) is not occurring in the system if boron is present in the source water. | If boron is present in the source water and utilities have aluminium or iron oxide deposits | high |
| #Q011 | monitoring | health | recommended | Private Well Boron Testing | drinking water | Households with private wells are also encouraged to have their water tested for boron to ensure that the concentration in their water supply is below the MAC. | Households with private wells | high |
| #Q012 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Accredited Laboratory Analysis for Well Water | drinking water | To determine if boron is present in well water, samples should be collected periodically and submitted to an accredited laboratory for analysis. | To determine if boron is present in well water | high |