Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

lead pipes

In a first, EPA survey puts a number on lead pipes around U.S.

In a first, EPA survey puts a number on lead pipes around U.S.

Some 9.2 million lead pipes carry water into homes across the U.S., with more in Florida than any other state, according to a new Environmental Protection Agency survey that will dictate how billions of dollars to find and replace those pipes are spent. The survey released Tuesday was the first time the agency asked about lead pipes and gave the best count yet of how many are underground. Florida, with an estimated 1.16 million pipes, was a surprise to one expert. Industrial states like Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania are more typically associated with extensive lead pipe issues.

Drinking Water News Roundup: US Steel spill, lead pipes, First Nations boil water advisories, Ohio wetlands

Drinking Water News Roundup: US Steel spill, lead pipes, First Nations boil water advisories, Ohio wetlands

From lead pipes to PFAS, drinking water contamination is a major issue plaguing cities and towns all around the Great Lakes. Cleaning up contaminants and providing safe water to everyone is an ongoing public health struggle. Keep up with drinking water-related developments in the Great Lakes area. A US Steel Plant recently spilled iron into Lake Michigan, forcing the Indiana Dunes National Park to shut down all of its beaches. Just three weeks prior, the corporation was placed under a federal consent decree, meaning it needed to enhance its environmental influence. Studies have proven that high iron levels in drinking water can cause iron poisoning and ultimately damage both the brain and the liver.

It’s unclear how many lead pipes carry drinking water in Greater Sudbury

It’s unclear how many lead pipes carry drinking water in Greater Sudbury

In an effort to remove financial barriers that prevent some people from getting lead water pipes replaced, the City of Greater Sudbury is poised to look at opportunities to help get the lead out. Earlier this week, the city’s operations committee resolved to request a business case from city staff for the creation of a subsidy and loan program to replace private-side lead pipes. Their unanimous approval means it’s likely city council will ratify the decision at an upcoming meeting and a business case will be drafted for future consideration. The proposed program would include a grant of up to $3,000, an interest-free loan of up to $10,000 to be paid back over 10 years and provisions for water filters for homes built in 1960 and prior with confirmed lead water service.

Budget Targets Lead Pipe Removal, Water Infrastructure Fixes, Job Creation

Budget Targets Lead Pipe Removal, Water Infrastructure Fixes, Job Creation

Every day, tens of millions of Americans are basically drinking from lead straws. They get their drinking water from lead water pipes in the ground that can threaten their health by contributing high levels of lead to their families’ tap water. Tens of millions more are served by decrepit water supplies that struggle to provide water meeting basic health and safety standards. And when people in cities and towns large and small across the country flush their toilets, the wastewater often goes untreated into rivers and lakes during storms because of inadequate sewer and treatment plants. Others have no sanitation at all, left to “straight pipes” that take their raw waste directly to a nearby waterway, or still use backyard privies.

Regina community associations urge City not to delay lead water line replacements

Regina community associations urge City not to delay lead water line replacements

Several Regina community associations are pushing the City of Regina to replace lead pipes in the city as soon as possible instead of spreading the project over 15 years. City council will consider approving administration’s recommendation to go with a 15-year lead service connection replacement program during Wednesday’s council meeting. This follows city council’s unanimous decision in 2019 to commit to replacing all lead service lines within five years.

Biden’s infrastructure plan targets lead pipes that threaten public health across the U.S.

Biden’s infrastructure plan targets lead pipes that threaten public health across the U.S.

Biden’s proposal includes US$45 billion to eliminate all lead pipes and service lines nationwide. The funding would go to programs administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This effort would affect an estimated 6 million to 10 million homes, along with 400,000 schools and child care facilities. I see it as one of the nation’s best chances to finally get the lead out of the nation’s drinking water, and its children.

Western scientists address corrosion issues

Western scientists address corrosion issues

There is a long history of lead pipes being used for drinking water distribution, in Canada and around the world. Many homeowners – with the financial fortitude to do so – have replaced them with specialized plastic over the years but lead pipes still remain in many Canadian homes. Lead pipes are susceptible to corrosion due to the ions present in water, which can cause the lead to leach out of the piping and into the water. To try to prevent this leaching, historically some of the lead pipes in Canada were exchanged with copper pipes. However, when the replacement was only partial, the new connection of copper to lead accelerated the problem through galvanic corrosion.

Lead pipe replacement could cost some Saskatoon homeowners thousands of dollars

Lead pipe replacement could cost some Saskatoon homeowners thousands of dollars

About 350 homeowners in the city could be facing a big bill from the city if they are forced to remove lead pipes on their property. The affected homes historically decided against removing lead pipes on their portion of the property, while the city was replacing its water connections. The decision could cost homeowners between $7,500 and $9,000, with the option of paying the money back through property tax.

Lead water filters, jugs, returned by some Thunder Bay, Ont., homeowners

Lead water filters, jugs, returned by some Thunder Bay, Ont., homeowners

A plan to distribute free water jugs and filters to properties with lead pipes or connections has hit a blockage. Some of the property owners are returning the jugs and filters to stores for a refund. Once the jug and filter is distributed, it's up to the water consumer to decide if they want to use it, said Michelle Warywoda, the director of Thunder Bay's environment division.

Testing suggests 1 in 5 Winnipeg homes with lead pipes have unsafe levels of lead in drinking water

Testing suggests 1 in 5 Winnipeg homes with lead pipes have unsafe levels of lead in drinking water

One in five Winnipeg homeowners with lead pipes will get unacceptable levels of lead in their drinking water the moment they turn on the tap, according to the City of Winnipeg. Under the city's lead water quality testing program, samples were taken from 268 homes with lead pipes between Aug. 15 and Nov. 19. The testing was done to ensure water quality met new national guidelines for lead in drinking water, which cut the acceptable amount of contamination in half last March. "Overall, the results are as expected," Renee Grosselle, manager of environmental standards with the City of Winnipeg, told reporters Tuesday afternoon.

Changes coming to Regina's lead pipe program after new Health Canada guidelines

Changes coming to Regina's lead pipe program after new Health Canada guidelines

Changes are coming to the way the City of Regina manages the lead pipes that carry drinking water after changes to the Health Canada guidelines. According to a report presented to Regina's public works committee, in the coming year the city plans to increase lead pipe replacements, improve construction best-practices and improve record-keeping for city and privately owned lead pipe connections. The city will also explore the feasibility and implications of corrosion control and continue to educate the public about lead pipes.

Edmonton water bills could increase

Edmonton water bills could increase

EPCOR needs money to lower the lead levels in Edmonton’s drinking water – a cost that may wind up on residents water bills. Although officials from EPCOR and the city said the drinking water is safe, levels must be reduced to meet new federal regulations. Earlier this month Health Canada cut acceptable lead levels in half, from 10 micrograms per litre to five.

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