Government of Yukon

Yukon's Drinking Water

Where does Yukon’s drinking water come from?

The majority of drinking water is supplied by groundwater which benefits from natural filtration processes and has an advantage over surface water supplies that require more protection from contamination.

Did you know?

  • The Yukon government acknowledges the importance of water in our everyday lives and is committed to protecting drinking water sources for all Yukoners; and
  • The Yukon government has made significant investments in waste management which will help protect soil and groundwater.
    • Reformed solid waste management to help keep hazardous materials out of landfills under the Solid Waste Action Plan;
    • Installed liners in sewage treatment lagoons;
    • Funded and advised municipalities to assist them with their infrastructure; and
    • Conducted Groundwater Under the Direct Influence (GUDI) assessments which are required for at risk drinking water wells that supply large public drinking water systems.
  • Municipalities are responsible for providing drinking water to their residents.

Is Yukon meeting Canadian standards?

The Yukon Drinking Water Regulation  147 KB has requirements for routine sampling and testing of drinking water. This includes testing for both chemical parameters and bacterial contamination. The regulatory program monitoring bacterial contamination meets or exceeds Canadian standards.

Who has a role in safeguarding drinking water?

Various Yukon government departments and agencies work together to provide safe drinking water programs and service delivery.

Department of Environment

  • Responsible for monitoring the quality and health of surface water and groundwater

  • Ensures that anyone using water or discharging into water does so by following standards set out in a water licence

Department of Community Services

  • Responsible for providing drinking water in unincorporated communities

  • Ensures that where surface water is a drinking water source, additional treatment systems are in place and meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Regulations

Department of Health and Social Services

  • Responsible for ensuring safe drinking water standards are upheld

  • Provides advice, inspections and enforcement services on water quality and safety

Department of Energy Mines and Resources

  • Responsible for land management and land protection measures

Yukon Water Board

  • An independent administrative tribunal - licenses the water use and deposit of waste for all activities that trigger a licence under the Waters Regulation. The types of activities that require a water use licence include withdrawal of water for placer mining, municipal drinking water supply, hydro-electric power generation, and agricultural irrigation.

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