CELA applauds the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its new Rule to reduce lead in drinking water. Issued under the United States’ Safe Drinking Water Act, the Rule requires the replacement of most lead service lines within 10 years. Other components include improved testing of drinking water and a lowered lead exposure threshold for communities to take action (at 15 µg/L, it remains too high). The government will provide significant funding, technical assistance and practical implementation tools to communities to remove the sources of lead in drinking water.
EPA’s decision emphasizes that lead exposure is a widespread issue, with no levels of lead being safe, especially for developing children. Lead exposure may lead to neurodevelopmental impacts in children and decreased kidney function, increased blood pressure, reproductive issues, heart disease and cancer in adults.
Lead exposure is not unique to the United States. Many homes and childcare centres in Ontario contain lead service lines. Lead can also be found in pipe fittings, soldering and fixtures.
In Ontario, the issue is compounded by the province’s refusal to join other provinces in adopting the Federal lead in drinking water guideline of 5 µg/L. Ontario maintains a standard of 10 µg/L, which increases the risk of health effects from lead exposure. Health Canada found that reducing the standard from 10 µg/L to 5 µg/L can lower children’s blood lead levels by approximately 7 percentage points (9.4 to 2.2%). Unfortunately, an alarming number (29%) of tested schools and childcare centres in Ontario exceed the federal standard.
CELA calls on Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and local municipalities to heed EPA’s landmark Rule and implement significant measures to reduce lead exposure in Canadians. CELA offers the following recommendations:
Ontario should adhere to the federal lead in drinking water standard, as the current provincial standard is a threat to public health. The province can also provide financial and technical support to local municipalities in implementing a more stringent standard and mapping and replacing all lead service lines.
Local municipalities have legal authority under the Ontario Municipal Act to adopt bylaws requiring the replacement of lead service lines. In addition to mandatory replacement, financial assistance should be provided to under-served and under-resourced communities.
There are no safe levels of lead, yet lead exposure is pervasive and current laws and policies are trailing behind the science. CELA hopes that Ontario draws inspiration from the EPA Rule and there is a renewed effort to eliminate the public’s exposure to lead.
Blog: US EPA Unveils Landmark Rule to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water
Blog by Adam Clasky
CELA applauds the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its new Rule to reduce lead in drinking water. Issued under the United States’ Safe Drinking Water Act, the Rule requires the replacement of most lead service lines within 10 years. Other components include improved testing of drinking water and a lowered lead exposure threshold for communities to take action (at 15 µg/L, it remains too high). The government will provide significant funding, technical assistance and practical implementation tools to communities to remove the sources of lead in drinking water.
EPA’s decision emphasizes that lead exposure is a widespread issue, with no levels of lead being safe, especially for developing children. Lead exposure may lead to neurodevelopmental impacts in children and decreased kidney function, increased blood pressure, reproductive issues, heart disease and cancer in adults.
Lead exposure is not unique to the United States. Many homes and childcare centres in Ontario contain lead service lines. Lead can also be found in pipe fittings, soldering and fixtures.
In Ontario, the issue is compounded by the province’s refusal to join other provinces in adopting the Federal lead in drinking water guideline of 5 µg/L. Ontario maintains a standard of 10 µg/L, which increases the risk of health effects from lead exposure. Health Canada found that reducing the standard from 10 µg/L to 5 µg/L can lower children’s blood lead levels by approximately 7 percentage points (9.4 to 2.2%). Unfortunately, an alarming number (29%) of tested schools and childcare centres in Ontario exceed the federal standard.
CELA calls on Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and local municipalities to heed EPA’s landmark Rule and implement significant measures to reduce lead exposure in Canadians. CELA offers the following recommendations:
There are no safe levels of lead, yet lead exposure is pervasive and current laws and policies are trailing behind the science. CELA hopes that Ontario draws inspiration from the EPA Rule and there is a renewed effort to eliminate the public’s exposure to lead.
Image courtesy of ©jurisam via Canva.com
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