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Community Lead Sampling and Testing
As of July 26, 2007 requirements for testing
for lead in drinking water changed, the municipality must collect samples
from the plumbing in private residential and non-residential building and
from the distribution system. These samples must be submitted to a
licensed laboratory for lead testing. This is in accordance with the Safe
Drinking Water Act, 2002, and the Drinking Water Systems Regulation
170/03.
The regulation requires
that the municipality collect standard samples twice per year, December 15
– April 15 (cold weather) and June 15 – October 15 (warm weather). Samples
must be collected by a qualified person and collected from a kitchen tap
or a tap commonly used to provide water for human consumption.
Older homes built prior
to the mid - 1950s are more likely to have lead pipes and service
connections. Homes built between the mid - 1950s and 1989 likely do not
have lead pipes or service lines but may have some lead in fixtures or
solder used to connect pipes. Homes built after 1989 are unlikely to have
any lead in pipes, service lines or solder in joints.
Lead is a natural
occurring substance present in our soil, food, and air. Lead has many
industrial uses and has been used in water systems since the late 1880s.
While lead can leach into drinking water from lead service lines and
plumbing, the bulk of human exposure is from other sources.
If you suspect that you
may have lead materials in your service lines or lead in your plumbing and
you wish to have your tap water tested, please contact us. Alternatively,
you can get your water tested by one of Ontario’s licensed laboratories.
For further information
on Safe Drinking Water System please click on the line below
http://www.ontario.ca/ONT/portal51/drinkingwater/General?docId=133481&lang=en
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