Environment and Conservation
July 16, 2009
Corrosion Study of Drinking Water Shows Good Results
The Provincial Government today released the results of a 2009 pilot
study to determine the extent of corrosion in public water supplies in
Newfoundland and Labrador. Based on the findings, it is concluded that
corrosion is not a major issue in most of Newfoundland and Labrador�s
water supplies. Key findings show that only three per cent of samples
taken were above the recommended guidance for lead as a corrosion
indicator. All those who participated in the pilot study were notified
as soon as the results were available.
The key objective of the study was to determine the extent to which
corrosion may affect plumbing systems in homes and public buildings in
the province. A total of 352 samples were taken throughout the province.
The study was also used to determine the feasibility of specialized lead
monitoring procedures in measuring the corrosive potential of municipal
water supplies, rather than the standard lead monitoring procedures. In
the study, lead was used as the indicator of corrosion, and the sampling
procedures focused on the concentrations of lead only. Public water
supplies in the province are routinely tested for pH, lead and all other
metals.
�We remain the only province that directly undertakes drinking water
quality monitoring and reporting of all its public water supplies, and
we are pleased to provide the results of any studies we undertake,� said
the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and
Conservation. �Based on the review of available information, lead
soldering and older brass faucets and fixtures in residential homes may
be the probable cause of elevated levels of lead in some residences.�
Communities with concerns regarding the possibility of corrosion in
their water supply systems can utilize the sampling procedures used in
the study to determine if corrosion is an issue. Communities with
corrosion potential can advise residents to flush their lines before
using water for drinking purposes, in order to avoid any exposure to
elevated lead concentrations. If there are additional concerns, a
National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approved filter can be used to
remove any lead that may be in the waterlines.
Throughout the summer, government officials will be re-testing areas
that exceeded the lead guidelines in the pilot study. This will
determine if flushing of the lines will eliminate the lead in drinking
water.
�The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador has one of the most widely
adopted and well-established source water protection programs in the
country,� said Minister Johnson. �As of April 2008, 91 per cent of the
people in our province who use public water receive it from a protected
source. We are dedicated to ensuring that we adhere to the highest
standards for drinking water quality and safety, as well as making this
information available to the public.�
The study, Pilot Study to Develop Action Plan on Indicators for
Monitoring Corrosion Control in Drinking Water is available at
www.gov.nl.ca/Env/env/waterres/WhatsNew.asp.
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Media contact:
Tina Coffey
Public Relations Specialist
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-5783, 728-8650
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca
2009 07 16
1:00 p.m. |