News Room

Lead Monitoring Program needs Volunteers

Published: June 07 2019 10:18

Health Canada has developed the “Guidance on Controlling Corrosion in Drinking Water Distribution Systems”. This requires all municipalities to regularly sample and test private taps within their respective homes for lead.

Why is the Town of Stellarton sampling drinking water? Health Canada has developed the “Guidance on Controlling Corrosion in Drinking Water Distribution Systems”. This requires all municipalities to regularly sample and test private taps within their respective homes for lead. These requirements place an emphasis on the testing of private plumbing, which has a possibility of containing lead. Older homes may have been built with lead service lines or they may contain lead based solder, as this was previously acceptable for private plumbing.

How is the water tested?  Sample bottles and instructions will be available for pickup at the Town Hall. Homeowners who volunteer will be notified when they become available. Tier 1 samples are required initially which requires a one liter sample with 6 hour stagnation period (6 hours of no water use).

When will the sampling take place? The samples will occur over the summer months. What if Lead is found in Samples Taken from My Home? If lead is found in a sample taken from your home or business you can expect the following:

• The Town will notify the property owner of the lead exceedance results.
• The Town may be required to do more thorough testing which requires 4 one liter samples to determine the source of lead.

Can everyone participate? The Town is required to sample 40 residential households. If more than 40 households volunteer, staff will reduce the list to the 40 that will best represent all areas of Town.

To volunteer for this program please contact the Town Office at (902) 752-2114 between the hours of 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.