Toxic Taps: British Columbia Grapples with Lead in Drinking Water Concerns
Residents in British Columbia’s communities are becoming increasingly concerned about the possibility of lead in their drinking water. From aging pipes in heritage homes to outdated school plumbing systems, growing awareness has sparked heated debates about water safety in the province.
The issue has left many British Columbians wondering: just how safe is the water flowing from their taps?
Lead is found to occur in nature and as a result of human activities, but in nature, lead is typically not found free in its pure form; it’s contained in ores with other metals—the most abundant one in the Earth’s crust being galena (PbS). Natural lead formations occur by the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium through radon (222Rn).
Four stable isotopes are known: Pb, Pb, Pb,204206207 and 208Pb, the first three of which are used to estimate the age of rocks. Lead compounds exist mainly in +2 or +4 oxidation states, the former being more common.
How Does Tap Water Become Contaminated with Lead?
As previously mentioned, lead (Pb) occurs naturally in bedrock ore and as a result of some human activities, but source water typically does not contain lead.
Really, the primary source of lead found in drinking water in British Columbia is lead that is leached into our drinking water from plumbing such as water mains, pipes, solder, water faucets, pipe fittings, and galvanized liners installed in older water wells and even old water well-pumping systems in British Columbia with water pumps installed and suspended on galvanized steel pipe with the old fittings and pitiless adapters that contain lead.
What Happens When Lead Gets into Water?
The amount of lead that will dissolve into drinking water will largely depend on the chemistry of the source water, such as pH, alkalinity, water temperature, water hardness, length of water pipe, and the amount of time that water is in contact with a contaminated material such as a water pipe.
Corrosive water is a naturally occurring water condition often called “aggressive water.” Aggressive water dissolves materials it comes into contact with and can become problematic, sometimes causing health-related issues. At its worst, corrosive water can cause holes in water pipes to develop over time.
How can corrosive water possibly cause health-related problems? In water systems containing metal from pipes to fittings, aggressive water can break down metal components, allowing copper, lead, or other metals to dissolve into water.
LEAD AND COPPER WATER TEST
Hidden Dangers: Lead Corrosion in Plumbing
Lead contamination from corroding pipes poses a serious health risk that’s particularly concerning because it’s invisible—you can’t see, taste, or smell lead in your drinking water.
Unlike copper contamination, which typically causes temporary digestive issues like nausea and stomach cramps, lead exposure can have severe, long-lasting health impacts. What makes lead especially dangerous is how it accumulates in the body over time. Every exposure adds to this buildup, as lead enters through drinking water and is distributed throughout the body via the bloodstream.
The health effects of lead exposure can vary significantly based on:
- How much lead has accumulated in the body?
- How long someone has been exposed
- Individual factors like age and overall health
- The concentration of lead in drinking water
Children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure, as their developing bodies absorb more lead than adults and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to its toxic effects. Even low levels of lead exposure in children can cause learning difficulties, behavioral problems, and delayed development.
Regular water testing is essential since you cannot rely on your senses to detect lead contamination. This is especially important in British Columbia’s older homes and buildings, where lead pipes and plumbing fixtures may still be present.
Lead in Drinking Water
Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines
Health Canada Lead in Drinking Water Categories
1. Canadian Maximum Acceptable Concentrations (MAC)
Lead in Drinking Water in British Columbia – Canadian Maximum Acceptable Concentrations (MAC) 0.005 mg/L are based upon potential adverse health effects. However, water test results that exceed 0.005 mg/L do not necessarily indicate any immediate health problem. Whenever possible, we develop MACs to be low enough that years of exposure at this level would only slightly increase the health risk.
However, if water test results exceed the MAC, corrective actions should be taken to remove any potential for increased health risk.
2. Aesthetic Objectives (AO)
If the water test results exceed the AO, we recommend corrective actions, but they may not be necessary.
3. What are the Safe, Acceptable Lead Levels in Drinking Water in British Columbia?
Aesthetic Objectives (AO) are not based on health effects. Still, water test results that exceed these levels may indicate that the drinking water could have objectionable taste, odor, appearance, or other factors, including microbiological concerns such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa.
Maximum Acceptable Concentration for Drinking Water in Canada = 0.005 mg/L according to the new reporting limit for lead for the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines update as of April 2019.
Lead in drinking water has no taste, smell, or color. Only a chemical water test can detect lead in drinking water.
The Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality set a (MAC) maximum acceptable concentration of 0.005 mg/L (5 parts per billion) for total lead in drinking water, measured at the tap. Every effort should be made to maintain acceptable lead levels in drinking water in British Columbia.
NOTE: To better understand these concentrations, consider that one part per billion (ppb) is equivalent to one second in 32 years or one penny in $10 million. In our example, 5 ppb is equivalent to 5 pennies in $10 million.
Lead dissolved in water has no taste, smell, or color. It can only be detected through a chemical test.
Lead in drinking water in British Columbia can cause various adverse health problems. Lead exposure affects children, infants, and unborn children more adversely because their bodies absorb lead easier than adults.
A child’s brain and nervous system are known to be more sensitive to the effects of lead than older children and adults.
DRINKING WATER TEST FOR LEAD & COPPER
If you’re pregnant or have young children under six, it’s advisable to discuss lead testing with your doctor, particularly if your water has tested above British Columbia’s maximum acceptable concentration for lead, or if you have other concerns about potential exposure.
Child Exposure to Lead in British Columbia—Possible Health Effects Can Include:
- Damage to the brain and nervous system
- Delays in physical and mental development
- Behavior and learning disabilities
- Hearing disorders
Health Effects for Adults Exposed to Lead that Exceeds the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines May Include:
- Increased blood pressure
- Anemia
- Nerve disorders
- Muscle & joint pain
- Irritability
- Kidney damage
- Digestive problems
- Memory loss
- Fatigue
- Headaches
Exposure to lead in drinking water in British Columbia can affect the brain development of babies and young children. Lead exposure may cause other health problems with heart, kidney, and reproductive health in babies, children, and adults.
Young children (under six years of age) will have the highest risk for health effects because they’re still developing. A child absorbs lead easier and faster than adults.
Mixing formula or other beverages with tap water puts babies at risk of lead exposure, as these typically contain between 40% and 60% water. The water that older children and adults consume only contains maybe 10% to 20% of their intake because they ingest far more solids than an infant.
Important: Do not drink water from the hot water faucet or use a hot water tap to mix with baby formula because heated water can contain higher lead concentrations.
Pregnant women can pass lead to their unborn children. Lead can be present in breast milk, so it’s vital for breastfeeding mothers to reduce all lead exposure and consume filtered water or bottled water.
If you’re pregnant or have children younger than six years old, see your doctor if your drinking water exceeds the Canadian MAC for lead in drinking water in British Columbia or if you have any concerns about lead exposure.
The lead risk to human health is only through ingesting lead, such as drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, etc. Lead levels in water > 0.005 mg/L are acceptable for showers, baths, handwashing, dishwashing, and general cleaning.
How to Test for Lead in Drinking Water
Testing your water regularly to ensure it meets the standard chemical parameters, including lead, can be important. The Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines outline the potential substances in drinking water.
The risk to human health is only through ingesting lead, such as drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, etc. Lead concentration in water exceeding > 0.005 mg/L is acceptable for showers, baths, handwashing, dishwashing, and general domestic purposes.
Read our Complete Guide: Test Lead in Water.
DIY Lead Water Testing Kit: A Homeowner’s Guide to Water Safety
Water testing in British Columbia is not complicated; there are many accredited water testing labs throughout the province. Most water test kits for standard chemical parameters in BC will include water testing for lead. The Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality outline potential substances in drinking water.
If you prefer not to conduct a comprehensive water test with an accredited lab, you can purchase a simple water test kit to detect lead in your drinking water. We have a FAQ for testing your drinking water for lead and other contaminants.
Lead Water Testing FAQ
FAQ: Where Should My Water be Tested for Lead?
Whether you are testing well water for lead or city water for lead, water test kits in British Columbia are available. An accredited provincial water testing laboratory should conduct testing. Accredited water testing laboratories serving the province will have water test kits for lead available.
If you choose not to use a water testing lab in BC, a simple lead water test kit is available with excellent reviews. The beneficial thing about having a water test kit is that you can test your water for lead often, and it’s cost-effective; I certainly think these kits are useful when using them as indicators. But, if you have any reason to suspect that there is possibly lead in your drinking water, I would still recommend using a certified water testing lab… at least initially.
FAQ: Should I Test My Well Water for Lead?
If you draw your water from a private water well in British Columbia, getting two water test kits for lead is advisable. Typically, you should draw the first water test lead kit sample from the kitchen tap. If you choose to do a second sample, take a raw water sample from the water well before the water enters the home or building. Hopefully, this will help determine if there is lead in the well water, if it’s actually present in the groundwater, or if the plumbing pipe or fittings are responsible for the lead contamination.
FAQ: Should I Test My City Water for Lead?
- Before flushing the water (running the tap for at least two minutes), gather one water test lead kit.
- After flushing the water line, collect a second separate water sample for lead.
FAQ: When Should a Water Sample for Lead be Taken?
Taking the first sample in the morning after the water has been in contact with the water pipe for an extended period may be more ideal than the second sample as described.
Carefully use the special water sampling bottles provided in the water test kit. Follow water testing instructions for lead to ensure proper water sampling procedures; not following proper water testing procedures for lead may cause the water analysis report to be false or fail for some water parameters.
FAQ: How to Purchase a Lead Water Test Kit?
Please visit for more information on water test kits for lead in drinking water anywhere in British Columbia. The cost of testing water for lead will vary depending on the scope and the number of parameters being tested; if you have not been testing your water regularly, you may want to get a
FAQ: What is the Best Way to Remove Lead from Drinking Water?
Once a water sample has been submitted to a British Columbia water testing lab and you’re waiting for the water test report results (typically emailed), you are concerned. You might want to consume an alternate water source for drinking, food washing, cooking, and teeth brushing until you get the results.
If your first lead water test detects elevated lead >0.005 mg/L, you must determine the lead’s source.
Water lines containing lead were commonly installed in homes and drinking water systems in many countries, including Canada. Widespread installation of lead water pipes occurred in Canada until 1975, when lead was finally banned by revising the National Plumbing Code of Canada.
Additionally, plumbers used lead-containing solder for new plumbing and plumbing repairs until 1986. As a result, plumbing and distribution pipes and fittings can still be an important source of lead in the tap water of homes built before the 1990s. Many older homes and buildings in Canada may still contain lead materials.
Homeowners should also check the waterline that brings water into the home, sometimes located in the basement or crawlspace, close to the water meter. It could contain lead if it’s grey-black and scores easily when scraped with a sharp object.
If the source of lead in water is from the corrosion of lead-containing plumbing, such as pipes & fittings, etc., consider the following options:
- Remove the source of plumbing materials containing lead.
- Flush water faucets for at least 5 minutes or until the tap water runs as cold as possible before using the water for drinking, cooking, or teeth.
- It is important to not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or mixing with baby formula.
- Adjust the pH of the water (typically, this is a point-of-entry water treatment system). Once the PH increased, the water will be less aggressive.
- Only install water treatment systems designed to meet your water chemistry requirements to reduce the lead in your water.
- Use an alternative water source, such as bottled or safe drinking water.
FAQ: Can Lead be Filtered Out of Water?
Boiling does not reduce or remove lead from water. In fact, boiling lead-contaminated water might increase lead concentration.
Flush the faucet if the groundwater source contains lead before entering the home. Consider the following water treatment systems to reduce lead levels effectively:
- Cation exchange
- Distillation
- Reverse osmosis
- Lead water treatment system with certification NSF Standard No. 53 for reduction of lead in drinking water
Invest in a water treatment system or water filtration system that has been certified to meet the current NSF standards (National Sanitation Foundation) for lead reduction in drinking water.
NSF International is an accredited, independent third-party certification body that tests and certifies products to verify they meet these public health and safety standards. Home water treatment systems that meet these standards bear the NSF mark. NSF International is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that sets health and safety standards for manufacturers in 80 countries worldwide.
Once a water treatment system or water filtration system for lead removal has been installed, retest your water to ensure the water treatment system is performing effectively. Regularly test water samples for lead to maintain the safety of your drinking water.
It’s crucial to maintain the lead removal water treatment system according to the instructions of your local water treatment expert to ensure a safe and long-term supply of drinking water.
For more information on the best water treatment system for lead-contaminated water, contact your local water treatment expert located in your community.
It’s best to purchase water treatment systems online; instead, consult a local expert with extensive industry experience for design, installation, and service as needed.
Water Softeners and Lead Removal: Understanding the pH Connection
Water softeners can help remove lead from your drinking water, but their effectiveness depends heavily on the chemistry of the water.
Here’s what you need to know about water softeners and lead removal:
At pH Below 7 (Acidic Water): Lead exists primarily as positively charged ions (Pb2+), making it ideal for removal through cation exchange in water softeners. The positively charged lead ions readily swap places with the softener’s sodium or potassium ions, effectively filtering lead from your water.
At pH Above 7 (Alkaline Water): Lead often forms complex compounds and may carry a neutral or negative charge, making it much harder for water softeners to capture. In these conditions, other treatment methods like reverse osmosis or activated carbon filtration may be more effective.
Important Considerations:
- Consider consulting a British Columbia water treatment expert for a comprehensive solution.
- Test the water’s pH and lead levels a few times before choosing the best water treatment system.
- Regular maintenance and monitoring are necessary for any water treatment method.
- If you have significant lead contamination in your drinking water, you shouldn’t rely solely on water softeners as their effectiveness may not always be reliable.
Links for More Information: Lead in Drinking Water in British Columbia
How Lead Gets Into Drinking Water
Health Effects of Being Exposed to Lead in Drinking Water
Is it Safe to Shower in Lead-Contaminated Tap Water?
How To Remove Lead From Water?
Learn More About Water Coming Into Your Home
Steps You Can Take to Reduce Lead in Your Water
Find Out if You Have Lead Pipes in Your Home
Test Your Children for Lead Levels in Their Blood
Find Out if Lead Has Been an Issue in Your Children’s School
Drinking Water Limits for Lead
EPA Drinking Water Regulations for Lead
EPA Protection Requirements for Public Water Systems
