For Immediate Release
2007-05-24
Cindie Ashton, Communications Officer (613) 546-4291, extension 3116 (cell 329-3462);
The City of Kingston/Utilities Kingston media hotline is 613-546-4291, ext 2300.
UPDATE ON PLANS TO TEST
WATER SERVICES FOR LEAD
Utilities Kingston is working to address an Order issued by Ontario's Chief Drinking Water Inspector on Wednesday May 23, 2007, regarding lead in drinking water.
The first step will be to identify a representative area in the system, where lead service pipes are installed or suspected to be installed, which is generally
the areas constructed prior to the 1950s that have not been reconstructed. Within the area, 20 different homes will be selected for sampling and five additional
samples from the mains in the area will be collected before May 31, 2007.
Analysis of the samples will be done to determine the total amount of lead in the water. Ontario Drinking Water Standards set 10 micrograms per litre as the
maximum acceptable concentration. The results of the analysis will be reported to the homeowners, the Chief Drinking Water Inspector and the local Health Unit
before June 6, 2007.
Based on the results from the 35 municipalities ordered to conduct the testing and reporting, the Chief Drinking Water Inspector, Jim Smith, is expected to
issue further directives.
Shortly after enactment of new regulation in 2000, Utilities Kingston responded to the Ministry of Environment's directions at the time, to stop testing for
lead in consumers tap waters. Prior to this, Utilities Kingston would undertake the sampling, generally in conjunction with ongoing main upgrade projects or at
the request of a customer who suspected their service pipe to be lead.
In addition to the testing ordered by the Ministry of Environment, Utilities Kingston is providing information to customers on the current lead service
replacement program, which is that where requested the service pipe, within the municipal road allowance, will be replaced for the homeowner.
As the service within private property is the owner's responsibility, replacement of that portion remains their responsibility. More public information and
education on lead water services is being made available.
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