Find out if your home has a lead water service
Woolwich's municipal drinking water is delivered to customers from a municipal watermain in the street, which then connects to small underground pipes known as water service lines. These water service lines deliver treated water into the home.
Understanding the Terminology
Private Service is the portion of the water pipe located on your property between the building and the property line.
Public Service is the portion of the water pipe located on the street between your property line and the watermain.
Lead Testing
The Township of Woolwich has a program in place that analyzes lead levels in our drinking water, with testing occurring every six months. This program meets the Ministry of the Environment's lead sampling of drinking water systems requirements.
Lead Service Replacement
The Township of Woolwich removes public lead services during road reconstruction projects. Streets with lead servicing get a higher priority for infrastructure rehabilitation than those without lead.
Lead was commonly used on the private services to properties - residential/industrial/commercial - to connect buildings with the watermain in the street - prior to the 1950's. Lead was also commonly used on the inside plumbing of residences/buildings built prior to 1990.
Community Lead Testing Program
The Community Lead Testing Program is a requirement of Ontario Ministry of Environment Drinking Water Systems Regulation 170/03. Under this program, all municipal and non-municipal drinking water systems are required to collect water samples from private residences, industrial/commercial properties and their distribution systems to check for lead in the drinking water.
The program is of great use to the community and the homeowner. It will:
- Assist the municipality in establishing a baseline understanding of the drinking water quality
- Enable the municipality to make informed decisions about potential water quality adjustments that will benefit the entire community
- Provide households with important information about potential lead containing materials in their own plumbing that could be putting themselves and their family members at risk
Frequently Asked Questions
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| What happens if lead is detected? |
| If levels of lead are detected, we will retest your water to confirm the lead levels and if they exceed the standard. If the second results are the same, you will receive more health-related information. |
| How can I reduce the lead in my drinking water if I know it is present? |
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There are several precautions you can take to help decrease the amount of lead in your water but the most effective method is to replace your service pipes.
Other methods are:
- Run the cold water for 5 minutes, fill up a container for watering household plants
- Do not drink water that has sat in pipes for more than six hours
- A NSF filter can be attached to a faucet to remove lead but it must meet National Sanitation Foundation standard for lead reduction. Always follow manufacturers directions.
**These methods do not eliminate the lead in your water but may help to reduce it**
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| Who pays to replace the lead service pipes on my property? |
| The property owner pays for all costs associated with replacing lead piping on private property. The Township pays to replace any portion that is on public property.
When a property owner is going to replace their water service line, they will be required to apply for a building permit. For more information please call the Development Services Department at 519-669-6042.
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| Do I need to replace the private portion of my lead water service? |
| Lead in drinking water can have a negative health impact on the at-rick people in your home/business. Replacing the water service is the only way to ensure your drinking water does not come into contact with lead pipes while travelling into your home. While homeowners/business owners are not required to replace the private portion of their water service connections, Region of Waterloo Public Health and the Township of Woolwich strongly recommend that homeowners/business owners with lead service connections replace the private-side of the service prior to or immediately after the Township replaces the public-side. |
| Is this a problem that is affecting Woolwich Township? |
| No, virtually all municipalities in Europe and North America have used lead for service pipes in the past. |
| What if I am visited for water testing without an appointment? |
| The Township will always schedule a time to come to your house to do water sampling. If you have an unsolicited visitor requesting access to your home for water testing or inspection of your water meter, please contact Region of Waterloo Police to report by dialing 519-570-9777 or 911. |
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