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In 2007, the Ministry of the Environment made a series of changes to the regulations regarding sampling and testing of lead in drinking water. These changes require municipalities to sample and test private plumbing in residential and commercial buildings.
The process is simple, you will be asked to run your kitchen tap for 5 minutes. Once complete, you will be asked not to use the water for 30 to 40 minutes until a Town of Gananoque Operator has arrived. The Operator will collect two samples from the kitchen tap. The samples are then sent and analyzed at an accredited laboratory. Once the Town receives the lab results, the results will be emailed to you.
The Ontario Drinking Water Standard for lead is 10 µg/L, which is equivalent to 0.010 mg/L. The standard has been established to reduce exposure to lead, particularly by children under the age of 6, pregnant women, and women planning a pregnancy. In 1989 the building code was changed to ban the install of lead piping in homes. Therefore, homes built before 1989 may contain lead in their pipes.
If the home has a lead result exceed the Ontario Drinking Water Standard due to a lead service line the Town of Gananoque has a Lead Water Service Line Replacement Interest Free Loan Program. Loans may be available to cover all or part of the estimated cost of replacing the Owner’s lead service (located on private property from the water meter to the property line).
Those interested in volunteering can contact Christine Brennan, Utilities Compliance Coordinator at 613-382-2149 ext 1612 or by email utilitycompliance@gananoque.ca. An appointment can be arranged Monday to Friday between 7:30 – 2:30.
For more information on ‘Lead in Drinking Water’, visit the Ontario Ministry of Environment website at www.ontario.ca/drinkingwater, or call the Ontario Government Public Information Centre at 1-800-565-4923.
