Concerns were raised this week after a study revealed high lead levels in water in some Canadian cities. (Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Lead and Water

No major concerns from local communities after lead level study released

Nov 6, 2019 | 12:00 PM

Water quality and lead have been in the forefront since the results of a nation-wide study released earlier this week.

The study found that some homes in Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw, and other cities had lead levels comparable or higher than those of Flint, Michigan during its 2015 lead crisis.

northeastNOW reached out to local towns and cities to inquire about lead piping and connections, and whether it posed a risk to residents.

Little chance of lead service connections in Melfort: Brent Lutz

A news release from the City of Melfort indicated that 55 per cent of pipes in the water distribution system are polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Another 45 per cent are metallic pipes that do not contain lead.

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The city cites a 2016 engineering report from Catterall and Wright that estimates less than one per cent of the 2500 service connections in Melfort are at a risk of containing lead.

Director of Development, Planning and Community Relations Brent Lutz said the cities with high lead levels featured in the Concordia University report are much older than Melfort, and therefore had more chance of lead being in their water system.

Lutz said the frequent water line breaks in Melfort actually helped in this case.

“We have to do a lot of [water line] repairs because of our soil conditions here, which has provided us the opportunity to identify and replace a lot of the lead pipes over the years,” said Lutz. “We are aware that there are still a few old lead services that are in use, but they are predominantly in the commercial area in the older commercial buildings in and around the city core.”

Lutz said the vast majority of residents will either have a copper or plastic pipe that is coming into the water metre.

Melfort’s current policy in replacing lead service connections was described by Lutz as “reactive,” and he said in light of the recent concerns raised in the Concordia study, the city’s administration is preparing a more proactive approach in seeking out the remaining lead connections and replacing them.

According to Lutz, it’s almost impossible for a Melfort house built after 1955 to have a lead service, as the material’s use had been discontinued.

“For homes that are older than that, it’s likely been changed over time as a result of construction on the property or repairs that have been done within the street,” said Lutz.

The only homes that would have a chance of a lead connection would be those older than 1950 within the 400 blocks east and west of Main St., or possibly in residential areas north of Lendrum Ave. on the south side of the city.

“Even then, it’s very unlikely that you have a lead service because our practice has been to replace them when they are identified,” said Lutz.

The lead identified in the Concordia study is all on the customer’s end, said Lutz, not the distribution end.

“Our distribution system would have no lead in any distribution lines, and therefore the water going into the system and coming in from the main line will not contain lead,” said Lutz.

Anyone with a concern about their home services containing lead can contact the city at (306) 752-5911.

Humboldt – few potential lead components:

The City of Humboldt has also issued a statement on water quality controls.

In 2018, the City implemented an observation and preventative measures program that offered testing to homes in neighbourhoods that were established before 1950.

“From those who voluntarily participated, along with routine inspections and excavations, Public Works has identified approximately 25 properties within a small area of Humboldt that may have lead components used for service connections or have some sources of lead within the dwellings themselves,” the statement said.

In May, City Council enhanced the “Lead Water Service Replacement” incentive, so homeowners can be reimbursed up to $750 upon the replacement of the property owner’s portion of a lead water service.

The statement added that “the City will replace its portion of each lead water service at no cost to the homeowner when a water main replacement is scheduled or when reasonable to proceed if work is being completed in the area.”

For more information on Humboldt’s Lead Water Service Replacement program, click here.

Tisdale and Nipawin – no lead present:

Tisdale CAO Brad Hvidston told northeastNOW that there are no lead lines in the community, and the Town has not run across any lead connectors, and have none on record.

In addition, Hvidston said water tests suggest that lead is non-existent in Tisdale’s distribution system.

Hvidston said if a house had lead lines or connection within it then there may be lead in that house, but the town is not aware of any of those houses in the community.

Nipawin CAO Barry Elliott spoke to Director of Public Works Blaine Crowley, and it was revealed that Nipawin’s distribution system does not contain any lead lines or connections.

“The system was brought in line in early 1960, and [lead] service lines were no longer being used after the mid ’50’s,” said Elliott. “Lead solder might exist on the individual properties where they’ve done their work on their house. Lead solder was used until the mid ’80’s, but that would be a homeowner’s responsibility.”

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974