The Multi-barrier approach is a key paradigm for ensuring safe drinking water in jurisdictions such as Ontario, elsewhere in Canada, and New Zealand.
[1] It is defined as,[2] An integrated system of procedures, processes and tools that collectively prevent or reduce the contamination of drinking water from source to tap in order to reduce risks to public health.In Part 2 of his report on the Walkerton Tragedy, Justice Dennis O'Connor discusses five elements of the multi-barrier approach:[3] The holistic perspective of the multi-barrier approach also incorporates many players into the goal of keeping drinking water safe.
These include managers, researchers, regulators, legislators, and the public.
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