Kevin Duke expresses concerns about the financial feasibility of replacing the lead pipes in his residence.
The senior from Thunder Bay, Ontario, was only made aware of the presence of lead pipes in his home when the City of Thunder Bay initiated the distribution of NSF/ANSI-53-approved water filter pitcher kits in 2020. While the city had replaced the main water line on his side of the street a couple of years ago, Duke revealed that the piping from there to his water meter consists entirely of lead.
“I doubt that I would be able to afford the cost of replacing all that,” Duke remarked.
Prior to the mid-1950s, lead service pipes were commonly employed to connect residential properties to city water mains. However, following emerging research on the health hazards associated with the toxic metal, the National Plumbing Code of Canada prohibited the use of lead piping in 1975 and lead solder in 1986.
Despite these regulations, numerous older homes across Canada still have lead pipes. Recently, the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) published a report urging Ontario municipalities to cease the practice of only partially replacing lead service lines.
Julie Mutis, a community outreach worker for CELA and the lead author of the report, pointed out, “Partial replacements can result in significantly elevated lead levels in the months and years following the intervention due to potential lead line disruptions and the influx of large particles into households.”
The association recommends that municipalities enact bylaws mandating property owners to replace lead pipes on their side of the property line, all while offering income-adjusted financial assistance to help cover the expenses.
“By completely removing the lead pipes at once, individuals unaware of their lead pipe situation would receive support in replacing them,” Mutis emphasized.
Hamilton stands out as the sole Ontario municipality with a bylaw aimed at preventing partial lead service line replacements. Mutis highlighted that various communities in Quebec and Saskatchewan have already implemented similar bylaws; for instance, Saskatoon is progressing towards total lead service line replacement by 2029.
Partial replacements can result in significantly elevated lead levels in the months and years following the intervention due to potential lead line disruptions and the influx of large particles into households.– Julie Mutis, community outreach worker with the Canadian Environmental Law Association
In Thunder Bay, the city offers an interest-free loan program and a $1,500 grant for eligible low-income earners and seniors. Nevertheless, Duke questions the adequacy of these provisions.
“I believe the eligibility and cost considerations should be based on household income,” Duke suggested. “While it may pose challenges, appropriate measures should be devised.”
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While corrosion control programs offer one approach to address lead issues, their effectiveness can vary. In 2018, the City of Thunder Bay introduced a small amount of sodium hydroxide into the water supply to minimize lead seepage from aging pipes.
After the chemical implementation, reports of pinhole leaks in copper pipes and subsequent flooding emerged. The city ceased the use of sodium hydroxide in early 2020 and began distributing NSF/ANSI-53-approved water pitchers and filters to properties known to have lead service lines.
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