Hi all…a new guideline for lead in drinking water has been posted on the Health Canada website. As expected, the MAC has been lowered to 0.005 mg/L (5 µg/L) as total lead. There are fact sheets available on the website.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/guidelines-canadian-drinking-water-quality-guideline-technical-document-lead.html

Overview

 

“This guideline technical document reviews and assesses all identified health risks associated with lead in drinking water. It assesses new studies and approaches and takes into consideration the availability and limitations of appropriate treatment and analytical technologies. The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for total lead in drinking water is 0.005 mg/L (5 µg/L), based on a sample of water taken at the tap and using the appropriate protocol for the type of building being sampled. As current science cannot identify a level under which lead is no longer associated with adverse health effects, lead concentrations in drinking water should be kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).”

The Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) has also prepared a fact sheet and speaking notes for their municipal water professionals in Canada which is available at: http://www.cwwa.ca/lead2019_e.asp

Bill