Kevin Duke expresses concerns about the feasibility of replacing the lead pipes in his residence.
The senior from Thunder Bay, Ontario, was alerted to the presence of lead pipes when the City of Thunder Bay initiated the distribution of NSF/ANSI-53-approved water filter pitcher kits in 2020. Although the city had replaced the main water line on his side of the street a few years ago, the piping from there to his water meter still consists of lead.
Duke remarked, “I have serious doubts about my ability to afford the complete replacement.”
Prior to the mid-1950s, lead service pipes were commonly utilized to connect residences to city water mains. However, following the revelation of the health hazards associated with the toxic metal, the National Plumbing Code of Canada prohibited lead piping in 1975 and lead solder in 1986.
Despite these regulations, numerous older homes across the nation still have lead pipes. Recently, the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) published a report advocating for Ontario municipalities to cease partial replacements of lead service lines.
Julie Mutis, a community outreach worker for CELA and lead author of the report, emphasized, “Partial replacements can lead to significant levels of lead in the water due to the disturbance of the lead line, potentially introducing large particles into households.”
The association proposes that cities enact bylaws mandating property owners to replace the lead pipes on their side of the property line, coupled with offering income-adjusted financial aid to assist with the expenses.
Mutis elaborated, “By removing both the city and privately owned lead pipes simultaneously, individuals unaware of having lead pipes would receive support in replacing them.”
Hamilton stands as the sole municipality in Ontario with a bylaw focused on preventing partial lead service line replacements. Mutis noted that several Quebec and Saskatchewan communities have already implemented similar bylaws; for instance, Saskatoon aims to complete all lead service line replacements by 2029.
Partial replacements can lead to significant levels of lead in the water due to the disturbance of the lead line, potentially introducing 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 qualifying low-income individuals and seniors. Nevertheless, Duke questions the adequacy of these measures.
“I believe they should consider the household income and the associated costs before making a decision. While it may be challenging, they should find a way to assist,” he remarked.
$350M Lawsuit Progresses
Implementing corrosion control programs is a method to tackle lead issues, although not always effective. In 2018, the City of Thunder Bay introduced a small quantity of sodium hydroxide into the water supply to diminish lead seepage from old pipes.
Following the chemical addition, reports of pinhole leaks in copper pipes surfaced, leading to floods in hundreds of homes. The city discontinued the sodium hydroxide in early 2020, coinciding with the distribution of NSF/ANSI-53-approved water pitchers and filters to properties with known lead service lines.
Subsequently, a Thunder Bay resident, Patsy Stadnyk, initiated a $350-million lawsuit against the city on behalf of those impacted by the leaks.
