Residential Lead Monitoring Program

Lead Information Overview

The RM of West St. Paul Utility Department is looking for twenty (20) individual residences on the Municipal Water Supply within the Municipality to participate in the 2024 Residential Lead Monitoring Program.

In 2019, Health Canada lowered the lead health-based guideline from 0.010 mg/L to 0.005 mg/L based on a water sample collected at the consumer’s tap. In 2020, Manitoba adopted Health Canada’s guideline as a standard in the drinking Water Quality Standards Regulation. In 2024, the RM of West St. Paul was advised that its municipal drinking water system would become part of the Residential Lead Monitoring Program.

The RM of West St. Paul’s water lines do not contain lead, and the RM’s municipal water continues to be safe to consume and meets or exceeds established provincial requirements. Lead is not found in the natural water sources used for drinking water.

Lead is a metal found naturally in the environment and can be found in the air, soil, food, water and certain other consumer products. Lead can be released into drinking water from components containing lead in water distribution or internal plumbing systems. Plumbing materials such as solder, faucets or valves may contain lead, however lead service lines (LSLs) are the most significant source of lead in drinking water.

While lead service lines were largely phased out in the 1950’s, it was not until 1975 that service lines stopped being produced of lead. After that, plumbing materials and fittings such as solder, faucets, or valves made of lead continued to be used until 1990.

As noted, the RM main service lines do not contain lead however properties built before 1990 may have lead service lines on their private property (connecting to municipal water line) or internal plumbing valves, solder, faucets etc.

Be Part of the RM of West St. Paul’s Lead Sampling Program

In order to qualify, individual residences in Rivercrest connected to the Municipal Water Supply will be asked to submit an application form, which can be found here. Water testing applications will be accepted until the yearly capacity has been met. The RM will accept applications and once capacity has been filled, the additional applications will be prioritized and may be conducted in the following year(s). Properties selected through the RM water testing program will receive copies of the water testing results when available.

If you are selected for the water sampling program, the RM of West St. Paul Utility Department will be in contact with you to arrange the water sampling testing date. The entire sampling process will take around 15 minutes to complete, the utility staff will require access to main water tap.

Should there be any elevated results from the water sampling further information will be available to residents.

Please Note:

RM testing is for residential properties on the Municipal Water System only, businesses and well water properties are not eligible for RM testing through this program. The RM will conduct limited quantities of lead testing each year
There is no cost to property owners whose homes are selected to participate in the program. Only property owners can request to participate in program.
Only properties connected to the RM of West St. Paul’s Municipal Water System will be considered for this sampling program. Properties operating with a private well are not eligible.
The RM of West St. Paul will not be completing sampling outside of this program. Property owners who are not chosen to participate, but still wish to have their drinking water tested can refer to list of laboratories that offer testing services under laboratory information. Please contact individual laboratories directly for testing costs and sampling instructions.
Participation in this program is completely voluntary. All information collected is for the sole purpose of the RM of West St. Paul’s Water Sampling Program, is confidential, and will not be shared outside of the requirements of this program.

2024 Annual Lead Testing Sample Results

What does this mean for West St. Paul?

The Office of Drinking Water has been phasing in lead testing programs throughout Manitoba since 2019 starting with the largest and oldest water systems with known or suspected lead service lines. In 2024 West St. Paul has been notified of this new mandatory program and advised to implement a residential lead testing program. The objective of this program is to ensure the continued safety and on-going improvement in the quality of Manitoba’s drinking water supplies.

The RM will be conducting select water sample tests for lead to obtain results and share with the community and with the Office of Drinking Water. Properties wishing to volunteer to have their water tested may apply to the RM and properties who meet the requirements will have testing done by utility operators and results provided to them directly.

All information collected is for the sole purpose of the RM of West St. Paul’s water sampling program to meet the criteria of the Residential Lead Testing Program being implemented. Confidential testing information (addresses, names etc.) will not be shared publicly.

The Government of Canada has noted everyone should minimize lead exposure as much as possible. However, children and pregnant mothers are more sensitive to lead exposure due to lead’s effects on the child’s developing brain.

For more information: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/environmentalhealth/lead/info.html

How to tell if you have Lead Pipe

Lead Water Pipes – are usually a dull gray colour. You can confirm it’s a lead pipe by gently scratching the surface with a coin or sandpaper. If it’s lead, scratching the pipe will leave a shiny silver metal mark.

Copper Water Pipes - are usually a bronze, bright or dark orange colour and are made of a very hard material. Scratching a copper pipe with a coin or sandpaper will leave a faint bronze coloured mark.

Image Credit: City of Winnipeg

Lead can leach into tap water through below:

High Risk:

Lead Service Lines – Homes built before 1975 (when the plumbing code was revised) are likely to have a lead service line, lead solder and plumbing fixtures. Newer homes built in older neighborhoods may still have the original lead service lines. If the line coming to your main water shut off is greyish silver colour (not copper coloured) it may contain lead.

Medium Risk:

Lead Solder – Homes built between 1975 and 1990 may have lead plumbing fixtures and solder. Flushing the cold-water tap should reduce lead levels.

Lower Risk:

Fixtures, Taps, Valves, Fittings – Homes built after 1990, especially those built before 2014 may have brass fixtures that contain lead. Flushing the cold-water tap should reduce lead levels.

How to confirm if there is lead in my water?

The only way to test for elevated lead concentrations is at the tap and submitting to a water testing lab for results.

Residents in older homes are encouraged to check their plumbing (see ‘How to tell if you have Lead Pipes’ Section) or contact a licensed plumber for an inspection. If property owner suspects there may be lead in the water, and has expectant mothers or young children in the home, water testing is highly recommended.

What is the property owner responsible for?

(Properties connected to the Municipal Water System)

The property owner is responsible for the internal plumbing and fixtures and the pipe that connects the home to the shut off valve at the property line. Property owners may apply to have the RM conduct a lead sample test or may take a water sample from their home and send to a lab for lead testing themselves.

The RM of West St. Paul is responsible for the pipe that connects the watermain to the shut off valve at the property line. The RM will be conducting a limited quantity of water tests for properties within the high priority areas each year.

(Properties on well water)

Property owners in homes built before 1990 with their own private well who have lead concerns are encouraged to check their homes using the same method as noted in ‘How to tell if you have Lead Pipes’ section. If there are further concerns, well water property owners may take a water sample and send to a lab for lead results.

The RM does not have information on service lines on private properties or the internal plumbing works for homes in West St. Paul. Properties with concerns on either municipal water or well water who wish to change any internal plumbing or service lines on private property are recommended to speak with a certified plumber. The property owner will be responsible for water testing, materials and hired contractor costs for works completed. Service line replacement work (if required) will require a permit and only certified contractors may conduct the line work. (Sewer Service Licenced Contractors)

I have immediate concerns about lead in my water, what can I do in the meantime to reduce exposure?

Tap water in homes built before 1990 may have lead in the plumbing, which can increase the lead in tap water. The older the home the greater the risk of possible lead materials used. How to find out if there’s lead in your water, and ways to limit possible risk:

Inspect lines in your home or contact licensed plumber
Submit a lead water test to a lab
Use a filter at the tap or pitcher filter that meets the NSF/ANSI standard for reducing lead levels
Only use cold tap water for drinking and cooking – hot water can contain more lead
Run the water until it is cold before using it for cooking or drinking
Avoid drinking discoloured water
Flush your pipes. If it has been a few hours since you have used water, run a tap until the water is very cold, and then let it run for at least one more minute. This will pull fresh water from the watermain into the pipes.
Read only reliable trusted sources that focus on lead information specific to Manitoba/Canada
Contact professionals on options for replacing confirmed lead lines/fixtures

Additional Lead Information/sources:

Laboratory Information

Properties selected for testing through the RM will have samples taken by RM utility operators which will be submitted to laboratory for testing. The RM of West St. Paul will not be completing lead sampling outside of the program.

Property owners with concerns who are not selected for the program have the option to obtain a water sample and take into the lab for sampling. If you are planning on conducting your own water test, please contact the laboratory directly for testing costs, sampling bottles and sampling instructions. Below is a list of some (not all) of the water testing laboratories in Winnipeg. Note: most labs require their specific testing bottle and testing procedures in order to test. The RM of West St. Paul does not have lead bottles available.

ALS Environmental – 204-255-9720

12-1329 Niakwa Road E.

Winnipeg MB R2J 3T4

https://www.alsglobal.com/en/

Horizon Lab LTD – 204-488-2035

4055 Portage Avenue

Winnipeg MB R3K 2E8

https://www.horizonlab.ca/drinking-water-testing

Central Testing Lab – 204-237-9128

Unit 9 – 851 Lagimodiere Blvd

Winnipeg MB R2J 3K4

https://www.ctl.mb.ca/

Bureau Veritas

Unit D, 675 Berry Street, Winnipeg Manitoba R3H 1A7

Phone: 204-772-7276 (Toll Free: 1-888-357-7020) Fax: 204-277-2386

https://www.bvna.com/

Government website Laboratories and Testing

https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/food-safety/at-the-food-processor/laboratories-and-testing.html

The RM does not endorse any of the above listed laboratories included in the list. Information is being provided as an aid to assist with exploring water testing options within Winnipeg area. The RM assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the results to be obtained from using these contacts.

Lead Monitoring Program Resources

Manitoba Residential Lead Monitoring Program

https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/drinking-water/lead/residential-lead.html

Office of Drinking Water

https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/about/office-of-drinking-water/index.html

Lead in Drinking Water – Manitoba Sustainable Development

https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/drinking-water/lead/index.html

Lead in Drinking Water – Government of Canada

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/water-quality/water-talk-minimizing-exposure-lead-drinking-water-distribution-systems.html

Government of Manitoba - Lead in Drinking Water Information for Manitoba Schools, Child Care Centres, and Large Buildings

https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/pubs/water/drinking_water/rld_largebuildings.pdf