How To Check If The Water In Your Home Is Lead Free
Posted February 19, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Appreciating the charm and character of an older home is natural and some of the city’s most beautiful manors are counted among its most historic.
And yet living in a house more than 50 years old comes with some potential health risks, namely lead pipes that could be poisoning the water inside the residence.
“From what I’ve heard it’s quite common in this area,” admits Leslieville resident Kendra Michael. “We’ll look at either getting the pipes changed or some kind of filtration system.”
They’re sentiments many are now expressing after recent city-sponsored investigations revealed higher-than-normal amounts of lead inside pipes in several parts of town.
“Homes that were built before 1955 tend to have lead in the water pipes,” explains City Councillor Paula Fletcher.
That’s troubling because prolonged exposure to lead can delay children’s development, cause neurological disorders, headaches, nausea and even digestive problems.
Which is why the city is encouraging owners of older homes to test their water. Michael Alex is certainly glad he did.
“We had the test done, we tested at a higher than acceptable level and subsequently our pipes have been replaced,” he said.
Fletcher says the city is working on helping to that end.
“Councillors are trying to figure out how we’re going to assist people … particularly the priority cases, the pregnant women and children,” she added.
Until you’ve had your water tested, Toronto Public Health advises you use only cold water for cooking and drinking and when possible, allow it to run for a couple of minutes first.
Filters can also help in the interim.
“For low-income Torontonians we can assist them with the purchase of the filter up to $100,” Fletcher said.
Filter Fund and Water Test (.pdf)
