FAQ - lead and drinking water

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What do I need to know about lead and drinking water?

• What water testing does the District of Squamish do on a regular basis?

  • Regular testing and monitoring of our water system is ongoing (daily/hourly) including chlorine, flows, reservoir levels, pump operation and more. This monitoring is all automated.
  • Weekly bacterial testing is completed at nine sites for E.coli & Total Coliforms. Reports are available on the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority website. 
  • Biannual samples are collected from the District’s source water supplies and tested for over 36 chemical and physical properties including lead, colour, odour, pH and turbidity to ensure quality is within the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (Health Canada). Annual results are compiled and can be found on our website. 

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• What is the maximum acceptable concentration of lead in drinking water?

  The current guideline for lead in drinking water is a maximum acceptable concentration of 0.005 mg/L (5 parts per billion). This was reduced from 10 parts per billion in March of 2019.

  Drinking water in Squamish is essentially lead-free. Lead levels are below detectable limits, and are well below the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality standards.

   

• What is Vancouver Coastal Health's guideline re: lead in drinking water in B.C. communities?

  Recent (spring 2016) media coverage of concerns about lead levels in drinking water in some B.C. communities has raised the profile of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) guidelines that recommend flushing taps until the water runs cold. The concerns have arisen from ‘first flush’ tap water – the water which stagnates in a home or building’s plumbing pipes or fixtures for prolonged periods (i.e. overnight or during the work day). Such concerns have been logged both in B.C.’s South Coast and in northern B.C. communities. Schools and daycares are being reminded to follow VCH flushing guidelines.

  At the heart of the issue are the typical properties of the water found in B.C.’s South Coast communities. South Coast water is typically ‘soft’ (low in hard mineral content), has low alkalinity and is slightly acidic (below pH level 7.0), which in combination with various other factors, can lead to slightly corrosive properties. If water is left to sit for extended periods of time, it can draw out metals, including lead, from fixtures and pipes in homes. Squamish’s water has a pH level of 7.4, which falls within Health Canada’s recently revised operational guideline for pH range of between 7.0 and 10.5.

  Flushing stagnant tap water eliminates any potential for a building’s plumbing pipes to affect water quality.

  The ‘flush until cold’ protocol is good practice especially for homes with pregnant women and young children, and for anyone who wishes to be extra cautious. There are, however, no indicators in Squamish that there's a need for widespread concern. The protocol may also not be required in all homes, depending upon the piping and fixtures used. Homeowners can also take additional measures by replacing any piping and fixtures, especially in older homes, with certified lead-free products.

• What is Squamish's water pH level and how does it relate to corrosivity?

  The pH level of the water in Squamish is typically 7.4 which is within the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (7.0 to 10.5).

  pH is a measure of acidity/basicity of water. The combination of a lower pH (typically lower than the 'neutral' 7), low alkalinity, low hard mineral content (soft water) temperature and other factors can contribute to corrosive properties in water. Corrosive properties in water can draw out metals, including lead, if left to sit for extended periods (i.e. for several hours or overnight) in plumbing fixtures and pipes within homes and buildings.

• What is the "Flush until cold" guideline?

  "Flushing until cold" will remove stagnant water within building plumbing to ensure fresh water is being drawn to the tap from the municipal water supply, therefore eliminating any concern of elevated metal levels in water. 

  Vancouver Coastal Health has raised the profile of this guideline (spring 2016) after concerns have arisen in some B.C. communities due to elevated lead levels in ‘first flush’ tap water – the water which stagnates in a home or building’s plumbing pipes or fixtures for prolonged periods (i.e. overnight or during the work day). There are no indicators in Squamish that there is a need for widespread concern, however it’s an easy best practice to adopt that removes any variables associated with the wide variety of types of pipes and plumbing fixtures that are installed in homes and buildings.

• Does the age of my home mean there's a greater likelihood of lead leaching into my drinking water?

  Lead levels may be elevated in older homes (pre-1975), especially older homes with few renovations or upgrades that may still contain leaded pipes and plumbing fixtures. If you are uncertain as to whether or not lead exists in your pipes, the best practice is to "flush until cold" after water has been stagnant for a few hours or overnight.

• What should I be looking for in my home to indicate that my pipes or plumbing fixtures may contain lead?

  Lead is a soft, greyish-black metal that can sometimes be identified by easy indentation when scraped with a knife. The age of the fixture can also be an indicator of lead presence as it was commonly used prior to the 1990’s. If you suspect a presence of lead fixtures in your home the best practice is to flush until cold. 

• What type of plumbing fixtures contain lead and are they still readily available to purchase?

  Lead is typically found in jointing compounds, soldered joints and brass fixtures. Even though lead is not permitted in pipes and solder, it can be present up to 0.25%. These are still readily available for purchase at many retail outlets. When purchasing new fixtures, look for lead-free certification on the packaging. The District of Squamish uses only lead-free products for new installations and municipal projects.

• Are there any lead or lead-soldered pipes within the District of Squamish water supply system?

  There are no lead or lead-soldered pipes within the District of Squamish water supply system, according to historical records. 

• Can I treat or test my water at home?

  Yes. There are a variety of products available to treat the water in your home. To learn more about the different types of treatment devices visit the Health Canada’s Water Treatment Devices page. There are also a range of at-home water testing kits on the market. Please note however that the reliability of these kits is not always guaranteed. If you want to go this route, the best option is to have your water tested though a professional laboratory.

  "Flushing until cold" will, however, eliminate any potential for a building's plumbing pipes to affect water quality.

• My home uses PVC water pipes. Should I be concerned?

  Water supply approved PVC pipes are not known to contain lead contaminants although can sometimes have a ‘plastic taste’ when they are first used which goes away with use. If you are uncertain, the best recommendation is to “flush until cold” after water has been stagnant for a few hours.

• Will "flushing until cold" waste water?

  ‘Flushing until cold’ can still be done in a way that will support water conservation efforts. Flushing until cold generally does not take more than a minute for most homes. "First flush" water can be collected and used for washing or to water plants and gardens. Flushing the toilet first thing in the morning will also help move water through the pipes, therefore reducing the time needed to flush the tap until cold. Water containers can also be stored in the fridge (after flushing until cold).