Report to: General Committee                                                          Report Date: April 9, 2009

 

 

SUBJECT:                  Community Lead Testing Program – Status Report (3)

PREPARED BY:       Helena Dutaud, Water Quality Coordinator, System Engineering

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

1)     THAT the report “Community Lead Testing Program – Status Report (3)” be     received;

 

2)     AND THAT staff report back to Council with the findings of the Community Lead Testing Program after completion of Sampling Period # 4.

 

 3)     And that Staff 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 #3 (December 15, 2008 to April 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 given priority to the following:

 

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

            2) Buildings constructed before 1990; and

            3) Any other properties.

 

At the May 26, 2008 and the November 17, 2008 General Committee meetings, Waterworks reported to Council the findings of the Community Lead Testing Program after completion of Sampling Periods #1 and #2, 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 149 residential test sites (minimum required is 100) for the third sampling period of the Community Lead Testing Program.  Of these 149 locations tested for lead, 118 locations were tested over all three sampling periods.  Additional locations were taken from the existing volunteer database of approximately 750 residences.

 

The ten non-residential locations tested for lead in period three were the same locations tested in the first and second periods 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.

 

O.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 third period of sampling (December 15, 2008 to April 15, 2009). 

 

Sampling Results:

The third period of sampling began on January 13, 2009 and was completed on April 14, 2009. Results of all testing taken during Period # 3 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 Period #3:

 

 

 

 

Sampling Period #

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)

PERIOD

# 3

Dec. 15,

Non-Residential ICI (Tap)

10

10

0.010

0.0005

<0.0001

0.0028

2008

to

April 15,

2009

Residential (Tap)

149

100

0.010

0.0003

<0.0001

0.0097

 

Distribution  System

84

20

0.010

0.0002

<0.0001

0.0013

 

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.

The highest tap value noted in period #3 was 0.0097 mg/L, 3.5 times higher than the next highest vale (0.0028mg/L) and just under the recommended safe lead limit.  This value was not representative of earlier sample results at this location.  In sampling periods #1 and #2, the same location had much lower results (between 0.0003 mg/L to 0.0007 mg/L).  Waterworks mailed the results to the residence and further discussed the lead result with the resident.  Waterworks will be re-sampling this location in mid-May as well investigating their plumbing for anything non-standard.  Waterworks will continue to monitor this site in the next sampling period.

 

 

Review of the last three periods of sampling indicate a slight increase in the average lead results during the summer months (period #2) with an overall minimal variation in results. The second period of sampling had the lowest pH average and the highest lead average.  The corrosion and leaching of lead is dependent on pH and alkalinity.

The highest value observed over the three periods was 0.0097 in period #3, which was not only in the winter months but in the period that had the lowest lead average to date.  The cause of the unusual high spike that was observed in period three may be due to other factors and is inconclusive. Additional monitoring of this site will be done in mid-May according to the resident’s schedule.  Waterworks will also continue to monitor this site during future Community Lead Testing program sampling periods.

 

Notification of Results

 

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

 

A summary of the third period of testing will be 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 third period of sampling.

 

Customer Survey

 

Waterworks conducted a Customer Survey for the Community Lead Testing Program to help Waterworks provide the highest level and quality of customer service by understanding the concerns and needs of the residents.  The survey was discussed with participants when an appointment was made for sampling.  The participant was given the choice to complete the survey on the phone, on line or have a survey dropped off at their residence on the day of sampling.  A total of 149 surveys were offered, 124 (83%) were completed either by telephone or mail. Resident suggestions for improvement included a reminder call prior to testing appointments and keeping some weekend appointment availability.  All responses to the survey were positive.  The tremendous survey participation and comments received indicate that the program is of great importance to the residents and appreciate the value the program is providing to ensure the highest quality of water.  See attachment “A” for an example of the Community Lead Testing Program Customer Survey.

 

Program Next Steps

 

The requirement to undertake community wide sampling is a permanent requirement under O. Reg. 170/03.  The next sampling round is between June 15, 2009 to October 15, 2009. Preparation for next period of lead testing has begun.  The same residential sampling locations are intended for the next period of testing.  Residents will be contacted in the beginning of June 2009 by Waterworks and ask for consent to schedule appointments starting June 15, 2009.

 

Upon completion of this period of sampling the Town of Markham will be allowed to apply to the Ministry of Environment for a reduction in the number of sampling requirements.  If the Town of Markham’s results continue to be within the standard’s limits for lead, the sampling requirements will be reduced by half for future sampling periods.   

 

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 are continuing 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 low lead content components

·        System installation of low-lead brass fittings and couplings during system repairs and replacement

·        Waterworks is working with Development Services to revise the Town of Markham standard for residential plumbing to include no-lead materials in private plumbing.

 

There are no known lead services in the Town. Whenever a lead service is discovered, through Waterworks maintenance programs, such a service is replaced.

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

Not Applicable

 

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS:

Not Applicable

 

ALIGNMENT WITNH 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 #3 (December 15, 2008 to April 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 #3 results identified by Waterworks.

 

RECOMMENDED

                            BY:    ________________________          ________________________

                                      Jerry Klaus                                         Peter Loukes, P. Eng.

                                     General Manager, Waterworks            Director, Operations

 

 

                                      ________________________         

                                      Brenda Librecz

                                      Commissioner, Community and Fire Services

 

 

________________________         

John Livey

                                      Chief Administrative Officer

                                               

 

ATTACHMENTS: 

Attachment “A” - Community Lead Test Program – Customer Survey