Community Lead Testing Program:
Round 2 (June 2008 – October 2008) Results
The Community Lead Testing Program requires residential drinking water systems to
sample and test for lead twice per year and is a key component of the province’s
Lead Action Plan. This report summarizes the results of the second round of
sampling, which occurred between June 15th and October 15th, 2008. These results
show that the vast majority of drinking water systems met the Ontario Drinking Water
Quality Standard for lead.
1.0 What is the Community Lead Testing Program?
In the spring of 2007, the ministry ordered 36 municipalities to sample for lead at
residential taps in response to concerns that lead was leaching from plumbing
components into drinking water. Following a review of these results, O.Reg 170/03
was amended to require all municipal residential and non-municipal year-round
residential systems to conduct lead testing of water taken from both plumbing (pipes
inside the home or building) and distribution locations (pipes leading to the home or
building) twice per year.
The results of the testing help determine whether there is a pattern of lead levels in
drinking water within a particular community, indicating a need for action. Based on
these findings, large municipal systems reporting a specific number of lead
exceedances over time may be required to submit a corrosion control plan to reduce
the concentration of lead in drinking water.
For additional details on lead in drinking water, visit the ministry’s website at:
http://www.ontario.ca/drinkingwater
1.1 Who is required to sample?
Under the Community Lead Testing program, owners and operating authorities of
municipal residential and non-municipal year-round residential systems are required
to test multiple samples of drinking water for lead twice per year.
1.2 Where are the samples taken from and how many samples are required?
Samples are taken from both residential and non-residential plumbing locations
(referred to as “plumbing” samples), as well as distribution locations (referred to as
“distribution” samples) following a sampling protocol under the regulation. The
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protocol requires that for each plumbing location, 2 individual samples are taken
and analyzed for lead. A single sample is taken at distribution locations. The number
of locations sampled is dependent upon the population served.
To obtain residential plumbing samples, drinking water system owners must recruit
volunteers who wish to participate in the testing program. Priority is placed on
obtaining samples from locations where lead is present or likely to be present (e.g..
older homes or neighbourhoods, areas with lead service connections or watermains,
etc).
1.3 When does sampling occur?
Regulated drinking water systems are required to sample annually in two distinct
sampling periods. The sample periods are established in order to consider the
influence of temperature, if any, on lead concentration in drinking water. The two
annual sampling periods are:
• December 15th – April 15th (“cold water” / “winter” sampling)
• June 15th – October 15th (“warm water” / “summer” sampling).
This report highlights the sampling results for Round 2, which occurred between June
15th, 2008 and October 15th, 2008.
1.4 What is the standard for lead in drinking water?
The Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standard (ODWQS) for lead is 10 micrograms
per litre (10 µg/L).
1.5 How are test results communicated to building occupants?
Drinking water system owners are required to provide a copy of test results to the
occupant within seven days of receipt of the results. This report must include a
statement indicating whether the results are greater than the Ontario Drinking Water
Quality Standard. If the results are greater than the standard, advice from the system
owner/operating authority and local health unit is provided on actions that can be
taken by the building occupants to reduce exposure to lead. Sources of lead within a
system can include sources within the distribution system, service lines and
connections, as well as plumbing and fixtures within a home or building.
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1.6 What happens if lead is found in a drinking water system?
The drinking water system owner and operating authority are required to report
elevated levels of lead in samples to the Ministry of the Environment and to the local
medical officer of health. Laboratories licensed by the ministry are also required to
report all lead test results for regulated samples to the ministry.
The regulation requires that a corrosion control plan be submitted for large municipal
residential systems that report exceedances in greater than 10 per cent of their
plumbing sample locations in two out of the three most recent sampling rounds, if at
least two samples in each of those two rounds exceeded the standard. The corrosion
control plan requires the drinking water system owners/operating authority to identify
potential sources of lead and to develop a plan to reduce exposure to all users.
1.7 What is meant by corrosion?
Depending on the properties of the water, the water flowing through a pipe can wear
away the inner surface of the pipe and dissolve some of the metal. This dissolving of
the pipe’s inner surface is called corrosion. If the inner surface contains lead,
corrosion can result in lead entering the drinking water. Adjusting the properties of
the water can make it less corrosive, reducing the amount of lead dissolving from the
pipes into the water.
2.0 Summer 2008 Community Lead Testing Results
The following results are based on the submission of approximately 37,000 plumbing
and 5,100 distribution samples taken across the province by approximately 550
municipal residential systems and over 300 non-municipal year-round residential
systems during the second round of community lead testing. These samples were
taken between June 15th 2008 and October 15th, 2008.
2.1 Sampling Submission Compliance
Under O. Reg 170/03, each municipal residential system and non-municipal year-
round residential system is required to sample and test a defined number of
residential plumbing, non-residential plumbing, and distribution locations for lead. For
the purpose of this report, sampling submission compliance is assessed by
comparing the number of samples submitted by the drinking water system to the
number of samples required. If full or partial relief has been approved by the ministry,
compliance is assessed against this reduced number of samples.
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As shown in Table 1, the results indicate excellent compliance among municipal
residential systems. Over 91 per cent of municipal residential systems were able to
obtain at least three quarters of the required number of plumbing samples, with 99.8
per cent submitting at least one sample. This rate of compliance is comparable to the
results observed in the first round of testing, and suggests municipal owners are
generally able to obtain volunteers.
While the rate of compliance in non-municipal year-round residential systems
improved slightly over the first round of testing, the results remain poor. In Round 2,
58.3 per cent of non-municipal year-round residential systems submitted at least one
plumbing sample, however only 38.0 per cent of systems were able to obtain three
quarters of the required number of samples.
The ministry continues to work on improving compliance with sampling submissions
from non-municipal year-round residential systems.
Table 1: Regulated Systems & Sampling Submission Compliance
Plumbing Distribution
# MRS** # NMYRRS*** # MRS # NMYRRS
Number of Systems Required to Conduct
Sampling 583 379 606 359
Percentage of Systems that Conducted
Sampling* 99.8% 58.3% 99.3% 44.8%
Percentage of Systems that Completed
at least 75% of their Sampling
Requirements 91.4% 38.0% 91.7% 31.2%
* Refers to the percentage of systems submitting at least one sample under the Community Lead Testing
Program.
** Municipal Residential Systems
***Non- Municipal Year-Round Residential
As previously mentioned, the community lead testing program relies exclusively on
volunteers to obtain residential and non-residential plumbing samples. Small
municipal residential and non-municipal year-round residential systems had a lower
rate of compliance with plumbing sampling requirements. This likely reflects the
difficulty in obtaining the required number of volunteers for systems serving smaller
populations. Systems that are unable to obtain a sufficient number of volunteers may
apply for relief to reduce their sampling requirements. In order to obtain relief, system
owners must demonstrate that they took reasonable measures to recruit volunteers,
such as advertising in the local paper or on websites, or including information on “bill
stuffers” in water bills, etc.
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2.2 Drinking Water Quality Results
This section is divided into 3 sub-sections:
2.2.1 Provincial summary of water quality – this sub-section summarizes the
results of all individual plumbing and distribution samples taken across the
province.
2.2.2 Summary of water quality results based on system category – this sub-
section breaks down the plumbing and distribution results contained within the
“Provincial Summary” section by “municipal residential drinking water systems”
and “non-municipal year-round residential drinking water systems”.
2.2.3 Summary by drinking water system – this sub-section provides further
details on the number of systems where all samples met the provincial
standard.
2.2.1 Provincial Summary of Water Quality
This section examines the overall results for all plumbing and distribution samples
taken across the province between June 15th and October 15th, 2008. The Round 2
results indicate good water quality. As shown in Table 2 the average concentration of
lead from plumbing samples taken across the province was 1.86 µg/L, which is well
below the standard. Similarly, the average concentration of lead from distribution
samples was 1.44 µg/L. Furthermore, as shown in Charts 1 and 2, the results
indicate 96.9 per cent (36,734 out of 37,895) of all plumbing samples and 98.7 per
cent (5089 out of 5154) of all distribution samples met the ODWQS of 10 µg/L.
In comparison to Round 1, the average concentration of lead in municipal plumbing
samples was very similar, however a slight increase in the percentage of individual
plumbing exceedances was observed in Round 2. This is likely due to a number of
factors, such as the age and construction of homes volunteering in Round 2 versus
Round 1, and warmer temperatures in the summer months. An overall comparison of
Round 1 and Round 2 results is provided in Appendix 1.
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Table 2: Ontario Summary: Lead in Drinking Water
Plumbing Distribution
Number of Samples Taken During Round 2 37895 5154
Number of Samples Below the ODWQS (10 µg/L) 36734 5089
Average Concentration of Lead (µg/L) 1.86 1.44
Percentage of Exceedances 3.1% 1.3%
Maximum Concentration of Lead (10µg/L) 491.00 390.00
Chart 1: Ontario Plumbing Results Chart 2: Ontario Distribution Results
Provincial Plumbing Results: Provincial Distribution Results:
Individual Samples Individual Samples
1161,
3.1% 65, 1.3%
36734, 5089,
96.9% 98.7%
Number & Percentage of Plumbing Samples w ith Number & Percentage of Distribution Samples
Results less than 10 ug/L w ith Results less than 10 ug/L
Number & Percentage of Plumbing Samples w ith Number & Percentage of Distribution Samples
Results greater than 10 ug/L w ith Results greater than 10 ug/L
2.2.2 Summary of Water Quality Results by System Category
In the previous section, the overall plumbing and distribution results were discussed.
This section breaks down these results further by municipal and non-municipal
residential year-round systems. As outlined in Table 3, the water quality results were
very good with 98.0 per cent of non-municipal year-round residential plumbing
samples below the standard. Municipal residential systems reported that 96.8 per
cent of all plumbing results were below 10 µg/L. Distribution results were also good,
with 98.9 per cent of municipal and 95.8 per cent of non-municipal year-round
residential systems meeting the standard.
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Table 3: Water Quality Results
Plumbing Distribution
Average Concentration of Lead (µg/L) 1.87 1.36
Municipal Percentage of Samples that met the ODWQS
(less than 10 µg/L) 96.8% 98.9%
Percentage of Drinking Water Systems that
reported all samples met the ODWQS 74.9% 93.2%
Non-Municipal Year-
Round Residential
Average Concentration of Lead (µg/L) 1.79 2.70
Percentage of Samples that met the ODWQS
(less than 10 µg/L) 98.0% 95.8%
Percentage of Drinking Water Systems that
reported all samples met the ODWQS 91.9% 95.7%
2.2.3 Summary by Drinking Water System
An evaluation of the data based on municipal versus non-municipal systems
indicates a distinct difference in rate of plumbing location exceedances based on
system type. As shown in Charts 3 and 4, 74.9 per cent of municipal residential
systems reported that all plumbing samples met the standard, whereas 91.9 per cent
of all non-municipal year-round residential systems submitting plumbing samples
reported no exceedances.
These results were similar to Round 1 observations and reflect the difference in
design and construction between typical municipal and non-municipal systems. Non-
municipal year-round systems include single apartment buildings, mobile home
parks, and private communities. These systems often have a smaller distribution
system and are more likely to be constructed with plastic or copper.
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Chart 3: Municipal Residential Systems Chart 4: Non-Municipal Year-Round
Residential Systems
Municipal Residential Non Municipal Year Round
Systems: Plumbing Results Residential Systems:
Plumbing Results
18, 8.1%
146,
25.1%
436, 203,
74.9% 91.9%
# Systems Reporting No Plumbing Exceedances # Systems Reporting No Plumbing Exceedances
# Systems Reporting One or More Plumbing # Systems Reporting One or More Plumbing
Sample greater than 10 ug/L Sample greater than 10 ug/L
2.3 Corrosion Control Planning
Corrosion control planning is a key component of the Lead Action Plan. Under O.
Reg. 170/03, large municipal residential systems meeting all of the following criteria
must submit a corrosion control plan to the ministry:
• more than 10 per cent of all plumbing locations are greater than 10 µg/L, in
two out of three sample rounds, and
• at least two plumbing locations are greater than 10 µg/L in each of the two
rounds
The corrosion control plan must provide a detailed analysis of the potential source of
lead within the system, and the measure(s) that the drinking water system owner will
be taking to reduce lead within the system. The plan must be submitted to the
ministry within one year from the end of the second sampling period that meets the
corrosion control plan criteria.
In Round 2, twenty-eight systems reported greater than 10 per cent of plumbing
locations exceeded the standard, of which seventeen had similar results in
Round 1 and are therefore required to prepare a corrosion control plan. These
systems are listed in Table 4.
Large municipal residential systems that had greater than 10 per cent of their
plumbing sample locations exceed the standard in either Round 1 or Round 2 will
continue to be monitored by the ministry during the third and fourth sampling rounds
to determine if a corrosion control plan will be required in the future.
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Table 4: Large Municipal Residential Systems Required to Prepare Corrosion Control Plans
DWS_No DWS Name DWS Owner
ARNPRIOR, THE CORPORATION OF THE
220000932 ARNPRIOR WATER TREATMENT PLANT
TOWN OF
BRANTFORD (HOLMEDALE) WATER BRANTFORD, THE CORPORATION OF THE
220003564
TREATMENT PLANT CITY OF
CITY OF LONDON DISTRIBUTION
260004917 LONDON, CITY OF
SYSTEM
GUELPH, THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY
220000095 GUELPH WELL SUPPLY
OF
220003118 HAMILTON WATER TREATMENT PLANT HAMILTON, CITY OF
SIOUX LOOKOUT, THE CORPORATION OF
220005385 HUDSON WATER TREATMENT PLANT
THE MUNICIPALITY
JAMES W. KING WATER TREATMENT GANANOQUE, THE CORPORATION OF THE
220001254
PLANT SEPARATED TOWN OF
LUCAN BIDDULPH (L. HURON AWS) LUCAN BIDDULPH,THE CORPORATION OF
260003071
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM THE TOWNSHIP OF
OWEN SOUND (RICHARD H. NEATH) OWEN SOUND, THE CORPORATION OF
220001799
WATER TREATMENT PLANT THE CITY OF
210000265 RED LAKE WATER TREATMENT PLANT RED LAKE, THE MUNICIPALITY OF
SARNIA (LAMBTON AWS) DISTRIBUTION
260003136 SARNIA,CITY OF
SYSTEM
THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF
SAULT STE MARIE WATER SUPPLY
260006685 THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF
SYSTEM
SAULT STE. MARIE
SMITHS FALLS WATER TREATMENT SMITHS FALLS, THE CORPORATION OF
220001307
PLANT THE SEPERATED TOWN
TERRACE BAY, THE CORPORATION OF
TERRACE BAY WATER TREATMENT
250001769 THE TOWNSHIP OF, TERRACE BAY PULP
PLANT
INCORPORATED
220000273
THUNDER BAY (BARE POINT & LOCH THUNDER BAY, THE CORPORATION OF
&
LOMOND) WATER TREATMENT PLANTS THE CITY OF
220000282
WELLAND, THE CORPORATION OF THE
260003149 WELLAND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
CITY OF
WINDSOR, THE CORPORATION OF THE
220003421 WINDSOR WATER TREATMENT PLANT
CITY OF
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3.0 Conclusions
The results of the second round of community lead testing have shown that the
program is effective in identifying systems with a pattern of elevated lead levels and
ensuring that the system owner evaluates and develops a corrosion control plan to
reduce potential exposure to lead. Based on the first two rounds of sampling,
seventeen large municipal residential systems are required to prepare and submit a
plan to the ministry. Sampling in future rounds may identify additional systems
required to undertake corrosion control plans, as part of Ontario’s framework for
drinking water protection.
The compliance summary indicates that municipalities are diligently working within
their communities to obtain volunteers – and the results are good. However, systems
serving smaller populations with fewer resources continue to have difficulty meeting
their requirements. The ministry is continuing to conduct education and outreach, and
is developing a program for non-municipal year-round residential systems which
focuses on improving knowledge of regulatory requirements and increasing
compliance rates.
If you have specific questions regarding the lead testing results in your community,
please contact your local drinking water system owner. For more general information
on lead, visit the ministry’s website at www.ontario.ca/drinkingwater.
July 2009
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Appendix 1: Summary Report - Round 1 vs Round 2
Section 1: Water Quality
Table 1: Ontario Summary: Lead in Drinking Water (Individual Samples)
Round 1 Round 2
Plumbing Distribution Plumbing Distribution
# Samples Taken During Round 1 37517 5136 37895 5154
Maximum Concentration of Lead (µg/L) 5330 689 491 390
Average Concentration of Lead (µg/L) 1.97 1.92 1.86 1.44
# Samples Above 10 µg/L 863 117 1161 65
% of Individual Exceedances 2.30% 2.28% 3.1% 1.3%
Table 2: Ontario Summary: Prevalence of Lead in Drinking Water Systems
Round 1 Round 2
Plumbing Distribution Plumbing Distribution
Municipal Systems
# Municipal Systems Reporting NO Exceedances 435 (74%) 531 (88%) 436 (74.9%) 561 (93.2%)
# Municipal Systems Reporting at least one
exceedance 153 (26%) 72 (12%) 146 (25.1%) 41 (6.8%)
Non Municipal Year Round Residential
# NMYRR Systems Reporting NO Exceedances 223 (95%) 159 (99%) 203 (91.9%) 154 (95.7%)
# NMYRR Systems Reporting at least one
exceedance 12 (5%) 1 (1%) 18 (8.1%) 7 (4.3%)
Section 2: Compliance
Table 3: Compliance with Sampling
Municipal Systems
Round 1 Round 2
Plumbing Distribution Plumbing Distribution
# Systems Required to Conduct Sampling 597 622 583 606
Systems that Conducted Sampling 594 (99.5%) 609 (97.9%) 582 (99.8%) 602 (99.3%)
Systems that Completed at least 75% of their
Sample Requirements 548 (91.8%) 548 (88.1%) 533 (91.4%) 556 (91.7%)
Systems that Completed All Required Sampling 483 (80.9%) 534 (85.9%) 505 (86.6%) 549 (90.6%)
Non Municipal Year Round Residential
Round 1 Round 2
Plumbing Distribution Plumbing Distribution
# Systems Required to Conduct Sampling 429 408 379 359
Systems that Conducted Sampling 235 (54.8%) 160 (39.2%) 221 (58.3%) 161 (44.8%)
Systems that Conducted at least 75% of their
Sample Requirements 152 (35.4%) 99 (24.2%) 144 (38.0%) 112 (31.2%)
Systems that Completed All Required Sampling 87 (20.3%) 99 (24.2%) 80 (21.1%) 112 (31.2%)
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