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  1. In 2007, Canadian drinking water plants processed 5,878 million cubic meters of raw water, the majority of which was surface water.
  2. In 2007, the majority of the Canadian population (28 million) received their drinking water from plants serving communities of 300 or more people. That year, just under 24 million people received drinking water obtained from surface water sources.
  3. In 2007, a total of $885 million in capital expenditures was spent to add, expand or upgrade drinking water plants.
  4. In 2007, $807 million was spent on operation and maintenance (O&M). The largest component of these expenses was labour costs ($302 million).
  5. Total coliforms levels in untreated surface water peaked in either the late summer or fall for 2005, 2006 and 2007.
  6. Peak monthly concentrations of Escherichia coli (E. coli) followed peak monthly temperatures; the presence of E. coli in untreated surface water peaked in the fall months for 2005, 2006 and 2007.
  7. In 2007, 98% of plants treating either surface water or groundwater that reported monthly E. coli results never exceeded the federal guideline for drinking water. The results were similar for 2005 and 2006.