Lead in Drinking Water: A Canadian Perspective

Abstract

Key Takeaways Lead in drinking water is a top public health issue in the United States and Canada, with similarities and differences in how each country addresses it. Although lacking specifics in some aspects, Canada's new legislation for lead levels in drinking water means more stringent rules and more comprehensive methods for testing and treating. Strategies for sampling and testing are less prescriptive with this new guideline, allowing more flexibility in setting up a lead monitoring and service replacement program. The strategies used to replace and pay for lead service lines differ among various Canadian water utilities.

Impact of physical and chemical parameters on square wave anodic stripping voltammetry for trace Pb2+ detection in water

“…15 The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) have set maximum contaminant levels (MCL) and action levels of 10 and 15 μg L −1 Pb 2+ , respectively. 2,16,17 Lead levels in municipal waters are monitored by local water supply systems (WSSs) and regulated by government agencies worldwide to protect civilians from exposure through drinking water. However, owing to lead leaching from premise plumbing materials, the lead levels in drinking water in homes, schools, and office buildings may be higher than those monitored by WSSs.…”

“…Lead is rarely present in natural water sources, instead originating from lead pipes and materials used in century-old plumbing and water distribution systems. [1][2][3] The primary source of Pb 2+ leaching into drinking water is premise plumbing material that contains lead in the pipes, joints, solder, brass couplings, and faucets. [4][5][6][7] Some plumbing materials containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene have also been found to release lead at levels up to 113 and 40 µg L −1 Pb 2+ , respectively.…”