New Regulation for Flushing & Testing of Water

To increase the protection of children, especially those age 6 and under who are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead, the Ministry of the Environment now requires schools to take additional actions to ensure school water is safe for drinking:

• schools must flush water systems daily or weekly (depending on the age of the plumbing system); and
• water must be tested annually between June 15 and August 15.

The Ministry of Environment reported almost 97% of Ontario schools met the provincial drinking water standard for low lead levels (no more than 10 micrograms of lead per litre after flushing), partly due to the new flushing regulations. Any school which exceeds this level will work with the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) at the local Health Unit to reduce lead levels. These schools should immediately arrange for alternative sources for water until lead levels meet the required safety standards.

For more information:

• Drinking Water Ontario, Ministry of the Environment
• Lead & Drinking Water: Questions and Answers, Ministry of the Environment
• NSF (information for schools regarding filters to reduce lead)
• Flushing of School Water Systems, Letter to Operators of Schools, Private Schools & Day Nurseries, Ministry of Environment, August 2007
• Sample Letter for Principals to Communicate Adverse Water Test Results, Ministry of Environment, Aug 2007
• City of Thunder Bay News Release Regarding Lead Levels, June 2007