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Living > Public Health, Safety

Lead in Drinking Water

How could lead get into my drinking water?

Drinking water in Niagara, distributed by your municipality, is extremely low in lead. Lead can enter your drinking water from lead service lines, lead plumbing, or from solder containing lead. Older homes (constructed before 1955) may have some lead plumbing and may be served by lead water service lines. Homes constructed prior to the mid to late 1980's may have their plumbing connected with lead base solder. When left sitting for a prolonged period (i.e. over six hours) lead can dissolve into drinking water from household piping made with these materials.

What are the health effects of lead in drinking water?

Drinking water's contribution to total lead exposure is very low and occurs over a long-term period. Pregnant women and children under the age of six are most at risk to the health effects from long-term exposure to lead. Older children and adults do not readily absorb lead. Parents are advised to discuss specific health concerns with their physician.

What is the safe limit for lead in drinking water?

In Ontario, the Safe Drinking Water Act has established a maximum acceptable concentration for lead in drinking water of 10 ppb (parts per billion). This drinking water guideline has been developed to protect the population most at risk, namely pregnant women and children under six years of age. Levels slightly higher than this, 10 ppb to 30 ppb, will not have a significant impact on older children or adults.

View the Ministry of the Environment information page about Lead and Drinking Water

What should I do if my water tests show high levels for lead?

  • Run water from your drinking water tap if it has been sitting in the pipes for 6 hours or more. Water should be flushed for at least five minutes.
  • Use cold, flushed water for drinking and preparing food. Water from the hot water tap should not be consumed as heated water may contain higher lead levels.
  • Activities such as bathing, showering, and washing dishes or clothes will not cause undue exposure to lead. Lead in water is not easily absorbed through skin or mucous membranes.

Pregnant women and children under six years of age, with high levels of lead in their drinking water should do the following:

  • Investigate the source of lead contamination. Contact your municipality to discuss replacing the lead service pipes to your house.
  • If you are a tenant, contact your landlord to investigate the source of lead.
  • Use an alternate source for drinking water (bottled water) or use an in-home water treatment system. Use a filtration system that meets the NSF-53 standard for reducing lead. Visit the NSF website for an up-to-date list of filters that meet this standard.

For more information contact Environmental Health, Niagara Region Public Health, at 905-688-8248, ext. 7268 or 1-888-505-6074


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