If your Home was built prior to 1960, you may have Lead Pipes.
What is Lead?
Lead is a highly toxic metal that can cause very serious health effects. Prior to 1960, it was typical for builders to use lead pipes. Changes to the Plumbing Code banned the use of lead pipes because of the harmful health effects it could cause, and copper pipes for water became the new standard.
Lead in your Drinking Water
Drinking water is treated and tested to ensure that the level of lead in the treated water is below the Ontario standard of 0.010 milligrams per litre (10 micrograms per litre). That being said, many homes within the Hamilton area still have lead water service pipes and there are steps that can be taken to protect the health and safety of your family.
Is your Water Service Pipe made of Lead?
Find where the water pipe comes into the home and to your water meter. Does the pipe have a dull grey appearance? Is it soft metal that scratches easily? If so, it is likely a lead service pipe. If you are not sure if your service is lead, you can call for a free inspection from Hamilton Water. Please call 905-546-CITY (2489) and ask for a “Check size and type inspection.”
What to do if your Water Service is made of Lead
Most Vulnerable
- Children under 7 years old
- Pregnant women
- Women planning pregnancy
This group should use bottled water or tap water with an approved filter (NSF-053) for drinking, making foods, juice, coffee, tea or baby formula.
Lead exposure in children can lead to poor performance in school and behavioral problems. Long-term exposure can cause damage to the kidneys and nervous system, attention deficit disorder and decreased intelligence.
There is no known safe blood lead level in children. Efforts should be made to reduce lead exposure for children whenever possible. Contact your family doctor if you are concerned about your child’s lead exposure. Your doctor can complete a blood test to measure their blood lead level.
Boiling Tap Water will NOT Remove Lead
Boiled water should not be used in food preparation as it will concentrate the lead levels in water. Regular tap water is safe for bathing, showering, brushing teeth, washing dishes and to wash clothes.
Steps to Reduce Lead in your Tap Water
Children 7 years of age or older and adults can use tap water for drinking and cooking, but must follow the steps below before using it to drink or prepare food/juices, etc.
- FLUSH
Flush your water pipes each morning or any time that your water has not been used for a period of 6 hours of longer. Do this by going to the lowest tap farthest from where your water enters the house (where your water meter is located) and run the water for at least 15 mins. When done, flush all other taps for 5 mins. This will remove any loose lead particles sitting in your pipes.
- REMOVE & RINSE
Remove and rinse out all tap aerators after flushing. This will remove any lead particles that may have become trapped.
- USE AN ALTERNATE WATER SUPPLY OR FILTER
Use filtered or bottled water if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or have children under 7 years of age living in the house. We strongly recommend you install an NSF-053 certified filter for lead reduction.
Filters
Lead reduction filters are approved by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). An approved lead reduction filter has “NSF/ANSI-053 for lead removal” or “NSF-053 Standard” on the label with the NSF logo. If unsure, call 1-800-673-6275 with questions regarding lead filters.
Need More Information?
Call: 905-546-CITY (2489)
Visit: www.Hamilton.ca/LeadPipes
Direct Questions to Public Health Services at 905-546-2189 or visit www.Hamilton.ca/SafeWater