Who has lead service pipes in Edmonton?
What is a lead service pipe?
The service pipe connects the water main, usually located beneath the street or the back alley, and the water meter usually located in the basement of the home. There are two pieces to the lead service pipe; the section between the main and the valve at the property line is the responsibility of the water utility (EPCOR). The section between the property line and the house is the owned by the property owner and is their responsibility. Copper is the most common service pipe material used in Edmonton.
How many Edmonton homes have lead service pipes? What areas of the City are affected?
A small number of Edmonton residences still have lead service pipes – approximately 5,000 out of 220,000 homes. Most of these homes are located in older neighborhoods – homes built before 1950 (map).
If I live in a home built before 1950, does that mean it has a lead service pipe?
Not necessarily. Only about 10% of older Edmonton homes have a lead service pipe. Overall, less than 3% of all Edmonton homes have a lead service pipe. Other materials (like copper and cast iron) were used as service pipe materials during this period.
How can I determine if my home is supplied water through a lead service pipe?
Since the spring of 2008 EPCOR has sent out annual letters out to all homes and small businesses with suspected lead service pipes offering to test for lead in their tap water. EPCOR will continue to annually notifiy customers with suspected lead pipes until our records show that a complete service pipe replacement has occurred at that address.
You can also attempt to inspect the actual service pipe material coming through the basement floor and feeding into the water meter. Lead material is non-magnetic and is thicker than copper. If you rub it with sanding paper you will see shiny silver colored material. Lead can easily be etched with a key. There may or may not be threaded material present.
If you have recently moved into a older property and/or you are unsure about the service pipes at the property please contact EPCOR at 780-412-6858.
Does EPCOR ever sample homes without suspected lead service pipes?
Yes. Our sampling indicates that lead at the tap is an issue mainly in homes with lead service pipes. It is good practice to run the water for at least 3 minutes after periods of no water use (6 hours or longer) before consuming in all homes.
Do lead service pipes affect water quality?
If I have a lead service pipe, how do I know if my water meets suitable guidelines for lead levels?
The quality of Edmonton’s tap water is extremely high: 99.9% of Edmonton homes meet or exceed all water quality parameters.
EPCOR has implemented an annual testing and notification program for homes or small businesses with suspected lead service lines on the public or the private side. Our goal is collect at least one initial sample from every one of the locations with a suspected lead service pipe. We collect the initial sample in late spring through early fall; the sampling program is suspended for the winter because cold water affects the water quality results. If a service pipe renewal occurs on either side at a later date, we would like to collect a subsequent sample.
Please contact us at 780-412-6858 with your address, telephone number or email address so we can contact you to arrange an appointment and sample your tap-water when we are in your area. Testing is free of charge.
Your results will be mailed to you four to six weeks after sampling. A letter will explain your results to you in more detail and include good practices and recommendations.
What can residents with lead service pipes do to reduce the concentration of lead in their water?
To ensure quality water in all homes, EPCOR suggests the following good water practices:
- Run the cold water tap for at least 3 minutes in the morning or any other time the system hasn’t been used for six of hours or more prior to consuming water.
- Do not use warm or hot water from the taps for drinking, eating, cooking or baking; any water that is to be consumed should come directly from a cold water tap, then heated if needed.
If you concerned about your water quality, EPCOR is offering point-of-use devices to significantly reduce or eliminate the presence of lead in your tap water. Customers should follow the manufacturers' instructions for installation, use and maintenance of the point-of-use (POU) device.
What is the safe limit for lead in drinking water?
The Health Canada guideline for maximum acceptable levels for lead in drinking water is 10 parts per billion, which is equivalent to 10 drops in 520 full bathtubs of water. In 2009, new procedures for sampling for lead in tap water will be recommended to utilities.
What are the lead levels in Edmonton’s drinking water supply?
The lead concentration in Edmonton’s water supply and in our distribution system is usually non-detectable (below 0.2 parts per billion). In a few homes, lead can enter the drinking water as it moves through a lead water pipe or if it comes into contact with lead in solder or in some brass plumbing fittings. Running the tap to flush your water pipe is recommended, especially after periods of non-use.
How do I replace my lead service pipe?
Can I have my lead service pipe replaced?
As part of our existing water infrastructure upgrade program, EPCOR is working to replace all remaining lead pipes on the EPCOR side. Priority will be given to homes where small children or expectant mothers consume the water and where the lead concentration exceeds the guidelines. The homeowner is responsible for paying to replace their their portion of the lead service pipe from the property line to the home.
Will EPCOR provide financing for homeowners to cover the cost of replacing the service pipe on their property?
As with home improvements like replacing plumbing/wiring/roofs, customers may be interested in seeking financing through home improvement/lines of credit, etc. Service pipe replacements were eligible for the federal government home renovation tax credit in 2009.
Will property owners be expected to replace their portion of water service pipe?
A homeowner is not required to replace his/her portion of the lead service pipe if EPCOR is in the neighbourhood replacing their portion. However, the best long term solution to reduce lead in drinking water is to replace the entire lead service pipe.
Can I get EPCOR to do all the work (and just pay them for the cost of my side of the replacement)?
No. You will have to hire a local contractor to do your portion of the replacement.
I would like to replace the pipes on my side of the property line. Now what?
It is best to have a potential date arranged through a contractor and phone us at 780-412-6858 to add your address to our Lead Pipe Replacement Priority List. EPCOR recommends looking in the Yellow Pages under "sewer contractors." Ask if they have experience doing residential properties, ask for references, and check potential contractors against the Better Business Bureau.
Why is EPCOR only replacing the lead services now?
EPCOR has been vigorously replacing older water service pipes each year as part of its commitment to reliable and efficient service. The Lead Replacement Program is one of the most aggressive programs of its kind in Canada and it reflects input from Alberta Health Services, Alberta Environment, and Edmonton residents. It was launched ahead of new federal guidance on lead sampling in drinking water that may be incorporated into future provincial regulations.
Should I install a tap filter to reduce lead?
Will EPCOR supply me with a tap mounted lead filter device?
If you have a suspected lead service pipe and are concerned about your water quality, EPCOR will supply one faucet mounted water filtration unit (certified to National Sanitation Foundation Standard 53 for lead removal) which comes with one filter cartridge. These should last the average family 3 months.
Replacement cartridges or additional filtration units are the responsibility of the home owner. Customers should follow the manufacturers' instructions for installation, correct use and maintenance of the point-of-use (POU) device.
If you were provided with a GE faucet mount unit, replacement cartridges are only found at the Home Depot in Skyview shopping center, 13360 137 Avenue NW, behind the contractor’s desk (780-472-4212).
How/when/where can I pick up my tap filter?
Please phone 780-412-6858 and we will arrange delivery of the faucet mounted filter if your home has been identified as having a lead service pipe. Homes with children five years of age or less and/or pregnant women will be given first priority for delivery.
I don’t like the filter EPCOR provided and I cannot replace my suspected lead service pipe at this time. Are there other options available to me?
EPCOR is providing one filtering device unit per household with suspected lead service pipes. Numerous other filter types, including other faucet mount units, pitchers or under-the-counter units, are also available and can be purchased at any local plumbing or hardware store at the residents expense. Please ensure the brand you choose is certified to remove lead.
Customers should follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation, use and maintenance of the chosen device.
Who should I call about any potential health effects?
All health related inquiries regarding lead should be directed to Health Link Alberta at 780-408-LINK (5465) or toll-free at 1-866-408-LINK or visit their website. Information is available at this Health Canada website.