The BC Provincial Health Officer reports that between 1980 and 2000, there were 17 confirmed outbreaks of disease related to drinking water in BC.

Maintaining a safe water supply helps protect the owner / operator of a small water system and the water users from the serious and potentially costly consequences of waterborne illnesses.

In addition to affecting public health, the potential consequences of outbreaks can be numerous and costly:

• Medical Costs
  Illness caused by unsafe water can increase costs to the medical system by hundreds of dollars per person. This amount might include hospital costs, patient specimen testing, doctors' fees, and medications. A basic consultation at a doctor's office can cost the medical system up to $80.
  
• Legal Action
  When waterborne disease outbreaks occur, lawsuits may follow. Prosecution for failure to comply with water safety regulations may be another legal consequence. Legislation allows for penalties to be imposed, which can reach up to $200,000 for each day the offence continues, and possible jail time.

Out of Business: The Cost of Unsafe Water

• Financial Loss
  Loss of business due to poor water quality can affect commercial facilities operators. Increases in insurance cost may also be a concern for operators.
  
• Societal Consequences
  Unsafe water also has an impact on society as a whole. For example, along with the publicly funded medical system, costs can increase for public health inspections, epidemiological investigations, lab testing of water, and court costs in the event of lawsuits.