Report to: General Committee                                   Date Report Authored: October 16, 2009

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Community Lead Testing Program – Status Report (4)

PREPARED BY:               Fiona McArthur, Water Quality Coordinator, System Engineering

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

1)      THAT the report “Community Lead Testing Program – Status Report (4)” be     received;

 

2)     AND THAT staff report back to Council with the findings of the Community Lead Testing Program after completion of Sampling Period # 5;

 

 3)     And that Staff b be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

 

Not applicable

 

 

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with the findings of the Community Lead Testing Program, for sampling period #4 (June 15, 2009 to October 15, 2009).

 

 

BACKGROUND:

On July 26, 2007, the Drinking-Water Systems Regulation O. Reg. 170/03, (Schedule 15.1) was amended requiring mandatory Community Lead Testing for lead (Pb) in Drinking Water.  Sampling is required bi-annually; Period #1 (December 15 to April 15) and Period # 2 (June 15 to October 15).  Markham is required to sample a minimum of 100 locations from plumbing that serves private residences; 10 sampling locations from plumbing that does not serve private residences; and a minimum of 20 samples from the distribution system. The sampling locations must be with consent of the premise occupant, representative of different geographical areas throughout Markham and prioritized according to the following criteria:

 

            1) Buildings that have a lead service line or lead plumbing

            2) Buildings constructed before 1990

            3) Any other properties.

 

At the May 26, 2008 and the November 17, 2008,  as well as June 1st, 2009 General Committee meetings, Waterworks reported to Council the findings of the Community Lead Testing Program after completion of sampling rounds #1, #2 and #3, respectively.   All test results were within safe lead limits, and a significant volunteer resident database for such sampling has been maintained.

 

 

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Sampling Locations:

 

Waterworks selected a total of 148 residential test sites (minimum required is 100) for the fourth sampling round of the Community Lead Testing Program.  Of these 148 locations tested for lead, 74 locations were tested over all four sampling rounds.  Additional locations were taken from the existing volunteer database of approximately 750 residences.

 

The ten non-residential locations tested for lead in round four were the same locations tested in the first, second  and third rounds of sampling.  Five of these were Town Heritage buildings – Heintzman House, German Mills C.C., Thornhill Village Library, Museum School House and Warden House. The other five included Armadale, Markham Village and Thornhill Community Centres, the Markham Craft Guild and the Old Unionville Library.

 

 

Reg. 170/03 Compliance

 

The Town of Markham has met all the testing requirements for lead prescribed by Schedule 15.1 of O. Reg. 170/03 for the fourth round of sampling (June 15, 2009 to October 15, 2009). 

 

 

Sampling Results:

 

The fourth round of sampling began on June 16, 2009 and was completed on October 3, 2009. Results of all testing taken during round # 4 continue to be acceptable, below the safe Standard for Lead of 0.010 mg/L as set out in the Drinking-Water Systems Regulation O. Reg. (170/03).

 

The following is a summary of the lead test results taken for all rounds:

 

 

 

 

Sampling Round

Type of Sample

 

# Samples Taken by Markham

# of Samples

Required By O. Reg 170/03

Drinking Water Quality Standard

(mg/L)

Average

(mg/L)

Lowest Value (mg/L)

Highest Value (mg/L)

Round

# 4

June 15,

2009

to

Oct.15,

2009

Non-Residential ICI (Tap)

10

10

0.010

0.0007

<0.0001

0.0038

Residential (Tap)

148

100

0.010

0.0003

<0.0001

0.0039

Distribution  System

80

20

0.010

0.0004

0.0001

0.0033

Round #3

Dec 15, 2008

To

April 15, 2009

Non-Residential ICI (Tap)

10

10

0.010

0.0005

<0.0001

0.0028

Residential (Tap)

149

100

0.010

0.0003

<0.0001

0.0087

Distribution  System

84

20

0.010

0.0002

<0.0001

0.0013

Round

# 2

June 15,

2009

to

Oct.15,

2008

Non-Residential ICI (Tap)

10

10

0.010

0.0012

0.0001

0.0063

Residential (Tap)

150

100

0.010

0.0004

<0.0001

0.0087

Distribution  System

85

20

0.010

0.0005

0.0001

0.0027

Round #1

Dec 15, 2007

to

April 15, 2008

Non-Residential ICI (Tap)

10

10

0.010

0.0006

0.0001

0.0038

Residential (Tap)

148

100

0.010

0.0003

<0.0001

0.0037

Distribution  System

80

20

0.010

0.0005

0.0002

0.0046

 

Observations

The Town of Markham lead test results for all sampling undertaken to date were below the Standard for Lead of 0.010 mg/L.

MOE Maximum Acceptable Concentration
 

Critical Control Point
 

Critical Control Point
 
 


Text Box: Fig 1.: Summary of results from all four rounds of testing.

Review of the last four rounds of samples indicate that with the exception of round 2, lead levels in Markham average approximately 0.0003.   A slight increase in the average lead results occurred during round #2. While a slight increase is expected during the summer months, this did not occur during round 4. 

 

The highest value observed over the four rounds was 0.0097 in round #3.  Careful analysis of the data has shown that this home also had a high lead value in round #2 (0.0087) but elevated levels were not found during rounds 1 or 4.  To verify that the issues are specific to this home an analysis was done of other homes with the same distribution system sample.  The average lead content found in the neighbouring homes was not significantly different from the average lead content for Markham homes townwide, indicating that this issue is specific to one particular residence.  Additional monitoring of this site will continue with the residents consent during future lead testing rounds. 

 

Notification of Results

 

All participants who took part in the fourth round of testing have been mailed a copy of their sampling report accompanied by a letter explaining the results.

 

A summary of the results from the fourth round of testing has been posted on Markham’s Website providing general information for all Markham residents. Contact information is also posted on the website in the event program participants did not receive their results through the mail.

 

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environment have been provided with a summary of all results for the fourth round of sampling.

 

 

Program Next Steps

 

The requirement to undertake community wide sampling is a permanent requirement under O. Reg. 170/03.  The next sampling round is Dec 15, 2009 to April 15, 2009. However, as Markham has successfully completed 4 rounds of testing with no adverse water quality incidents, (i.e./ no residences with lead found above the acceptable level of 0.0100), we will be permitted to apply for a reduction in the total number of samples required for testing.  This means that rather than sampling 100 residences we would be required to sample only 50.  An application to the Ministry of the Environment is being prepared to request a reduction in the lead testing requirements for the Town of Markham.

 

Should current volunteers decide to drop out of the program Waterworks will use the existing volunteer resident database to choose additional locations. New volunteers that request to be part of the lead testing program, will continue to be registered and screened according to the Regulation guidelines and placed in the Waterworks volunteer database.

 

Staff continue to develop programs to remove sources of lead in the drinking water system through:

 

·        Watermain replacement of cast iron and ductile iron watermains that may have leaded joints or lead tipped gaskets

 

·        Installation of water meters with lead free brass components as per NEC # 503.10 (A) and (B) as well as NSF 61.

 

·        System installation of lead free brass fittings and couplings during system repairs and replacement as per NEC # 503.10 (A) and (B) as well as NSF 61.

 

There are no known lead services in the Town. Waterwork’s operating practice is that whenever a lead service is discovered such a service is replaced through Waterworks maintenance programs.

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

Not applicable

 

 

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS

Not applicable

 

 

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

Not applicable

 

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Not applicable

 

The report presented herein, communicates the results of the Community Lead Testing Program – Sampling Period #4 (June 15, 2009 – Oct 15, 2009) to the Drinking Water System Owner.

 

The undersigned represent the Top Management of Town of Markham’s Drinking Water Distribution System and by signing below the Top Management of the Operating Authority have reviewed the Community Lead Testing - Sampling Period #4 results identified by Waterworks.

 

RECOMMENDED

                            BY:    ________________________          ________________________

                                      Jerry Klaus                                         Peter Loukes, P. Eng.

                                     General Manager, Waterworks            Director, Operations

 

 

                                      ________________________         

                                      Brenda Librecz

                                      Commissioner, Community and Fire Services

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Not applicable.