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Document ID ca-gcdwqgtd-2010-06-23 Title Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality: Guideline Technical Document – Haloacetic Acids URL https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/guidelines-canadian-drinking-water-quality-guideline-technical-document-haloacetic-acids/page-2-guidelines-canadian-drinking-water-quality-guideline-technical-document-haloacetic-acids.html Jurisdiction /ca Subdomain(s) Drinking water, Water treatment Language en Status completed Analyzed at 2026-03-18 14:11:00.798958+00:00 Relevance Sets the MAC for haloacetic acids and provides treatment/monitoring guidance.

Q Qualitative Requirements (12)

Req ID Category Intent Legal Status Name Subdomain(s) Context Conditions Confidence
#Q001operationaltreatmentrecommendedMaintain ALARA Concentrationsdrinking waterUtilities should make every effort to maintain concentrations as low as reasonably achievable (or ALARA) without compromising the effectiveness of disinfection.high
#Q002prohibitionhealthmandatoryDisinfection Effectiveness Protectiondrinking waterIt is critical that any method used to control levels of haloacetic acids must not compromise the effectiveness of disinfection.When using methods to control levels of haloacetic acidshigh
#Q003operationalhealthrecommendedALARA Effort Recommendationdrinking waterThe Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water also recommends that every effort be made not only to meet the guideline, but to maintain concentrations of haloacetic acids as low as reasonably achievable.high
#Q004administrativeoperationalrecommendedGuidance on Implementationdrinking waterSpecific guidance related to the implementation of this guideline should be obtained from the appropriate drinking water authority in the affected jurisdiction.high
#Q005designtreatmentrecommendedALARA Principle for Upgradesdrinking waterGiven the limited information on the risks and uncertainties associated with other CDBPs, it is recommended that treatment plants strive to maintain HAA levels as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) without compromising disinfection. This should also be considered when changes, upgrades or expansions are made to the treatment plants or distribution systems.When changes, upgrades or expansions are made to the treatment plants or distribution systemshigh
#Q006operationalhealthmandatoryReview of Disinfection Strategy Changesdrinking waterAny effort aimed at reducing disinfection by-products, such as changing disinfection strategies, needs to be considered in light of changes in water quality that may inadvertently increase the levels or leaching of other contaminants, such as lead, in the distributed water.When aiming to reduce disinfection by-products or changing disinfection strategieshigh
#Q007monitoringreportingrecommendedMinimum HAA Monitoring Frequencydrinking waterAt a minimum, quarterly monitoring of treated water from surface water and groundwater sources is recommended for total HAAs.high
#Q008monitoringreportingguidanceIncreased Monitoring Frequencydrinking waterIncreased frequency of monitoring may be required for facilities using surface water sources during periods when water characteristics are more favourable to the formation of by-products, which will vary according to the specific system.Facilities using surface water sources during periods when water characteristics are more favourable to the formation of by-productshigh
#Q009monitoringreportingrecommendedMonitoring Sample Locationsdrinking waterSince total HAA concentrations vary within and between distribution systems, depending on different factors, including water quality characteristics (e.g., HAA precursors, pH, season, temperature) and treatment conditions (e.g., disinfectant type, disinfectant dose, contact time), it is recommended that monitoring samples be taken at the water treatment plant and at points in the distribution system where historical data show the highest HAA concentrations.high
#Q010monitoringreportingrecommendedMonitoring Without Historical Datadrinking waterWhere historical data are not available, program should be put in place to monitor HAA levels in the middle and extremities of the distribution system.Where historical data are not availablehigh
#Q011monitoringoperationalrecommendedTargeted Monitoring Areasdrinking waterAreas with extremely low or no disinfectant residual should be avoided, but areas where disinfectant residuals are significantly lower than the system average because of a long residence time (e.g., dead ends, low flow areas) should be targeted.high
#Q012monitoringreportingguidanceReduction of Monitoring and Reportingdrinking waterMonitoring/reporting may be reduced if drinking water monitoring does not show elevated levels of disinfection by-products within the distribution system.If drinking water monitoring does not show elevated levels of disinfection by-products within the distribution systemhigh

P Quantitative Requirements (6)

Req ID Category Intent Legal Status Name Subdomain(s) Limit Type Limit Value Context Conditions Confidence
#P001chemicalhealthguidelinetotal haloacetic acidsdrinking waterMAC0.08 mg/LThe maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for total haloacetic acids in drinking water is 0.08 mg/L (80 µg/L)based on a locational running annual averagehigh
#P002chemicalhealthguidelinemonochloroacetic acid (MCA)drinking watertreatment_goal0.1 mg/LA health-based target concentration of 0.1 mg/L can be calculated for MCA in drinking water.high
#P003chemicalhealthguidelinedichloroacetic acid (DCA)drinking watertreatment_goal0.01 mg/LA health-based target concentration of 0.01 mg/L can be calculated for DCA in drinking water.high
#P004chemicalhealthguidelinetrichloroacetic acid (TCA)drinking watertreatment_goal0.3 mg/LA health-based target concentration of 0.3 mg/L can be calculated for TCA in drinking water.high
#P005chemicalhealthguidelinedibromoacetic acid (DBA)drinking watertreatment_goal0.002 mg/LA health-based target concentration of 0.002 mg/L can be calculated for DBA in drinking water.high
#P006operationaloperationalrecommendedMonitoring Frequency (Total HAAs)drinking waterrequirement>= 4 samples/yearAt a minimum, quarterly monitoring of treated water from surface water and groundwater sources is recommended for total HAAs.surface water and groundwater sourceshigh

D Definitions (0)

No definitions.