Hi all…the authors of this just published ‘Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology – Aqua’ paper conducted a demonstration project to evaluate a range of sampling methods and supporting techniques for tackling lead in drinking water in Alberta, with the cities of Calgary and Edmonton as case studies. The sampling protocols specified by Health Canada in their 2009 guidance were confirmed to need further improvement and clarification. Among the conclusions it was recommended that:

  • There is a need to clarify the guideline value for lead in drinking water; the numeric value of 10 μg/L should be adopted as a MAC without qualification, consistent with the latest guidelines from the World Health Organization.
  • The sampling protocols specified in Health Canada’s guidance do not provide a reliable basis for identifying the need for corrosion control nor for its optimisation.
  • Instead, a pragmatic approach based on risk assessment and risk management is proposed, compatible with the DWSPs advocated by the World Health Organization since 2004.

Let me know if you cannot access the paper.

Bill

_______________________________

An evaluation of sampling methods and supporting techniques for tackling lead in drinking water in Alberta Province

Colin R. Hayes; Nick Croft; Edith Phillips; Steve Craik; Michael Schock

Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology – Aqua 2016 Aug, 65 (5) 373-383; DOI: 10.2166/aqua.2016.117

http://aqua.iwaponline.com/content/65/5

http://aqua.iwaponline.com/content/65/5/373?etoc

ABSTRACT

“A demonstration project evaluated a range of sampling methods and supporting techniques for tackling lead in drinking water in Alberta Province, with the cities of Calgary and Edmonton as case studies. The sampling protocols specified by Health Canada in their 2009 guidance were confirmed to need further improvement and clarification; these sampling protocols produce results that are subject to variable influences and do not provide a sufficiently clear basis for identifying corrosion control needs nor for demonstrating the success or otherwise of mitigation measures. Instead, it was concluded that a risk assessment and risk management approach would be better suited to tackling the lead in drinking water problem in Canadian cities and townships. This can be applied in a more pragmatic manner that reflects the circumstances of individual water supply systems, using drinking water safety plans as the foundation.”