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 ban came into force on October 2, 2008.

Wholesalers and retailers should note that the sale or lease of potable water treatment units not approved by an RBQ-recognized certification body is prohibited.

Specifics

1. Ultraviolet water disinfection systems designed to meet the requirements of the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water, enacted by O.C. 647 2001 dated May 30, 2001, must comply with 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 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 comply with one of the following standards :
   • NSF/ANSI 62, Drinking Water Distillation Systems, or
   • CAN/CSA B483.1, Drinking Water Treatment Systems, if they are to be installed at the point of use.
4. Potable water treatment systems not covered above that are designed to meet the requirements of the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water must comply with 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 to be installed at the point of use.

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 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 an Info-RBQ bulletin (2222-43) in June 2008. The information on this page  has been updated to reflect regulatory or administrative changes.