Volunteers Needed - Free Community Lead Sampling Program

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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 the municipality to sample and test private plumbing in residential and commercial buildings. The Town is seeking volunteers for the lead sampling program.

If your house was built prior to 1955 you may have lead plumbing within your home. Homes built before 1990 may also have lead piping. In 1989 the building code was changed to ban lead piping and the use of solder.

The process is simple, you will be asked to run your kitchen tap (preferably with the aerator or any other devises removed) for 5 minutes. Once this is complete you will be asked not to use the water for 30 to 40 minutes. A Town of Gananoque Water Operator will come to your house and take two samples from your tap. The samples are analyzed at an accredited laboratory. Once the town is aware of the results, you will be sent a letter with a copy of the results. The Ontario Drinking Water Standard for lead is 10 μg/L, which is equivalent to 0.010 mg/L. The Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standard for lead has been very conservatively established to reduce exposure to that metal, particularly by children under the age of 6, pregnant women, and women planning a pregnancy.

Those interested in volunteering can contact Christine Brennan, Utilities Compliance Coordinator at 613-536-9640 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.