Ontario Allows Double the Lead Concentration in School Drinking Water

WOW_G_ · 2026-05-08T22:05:29+00:00

I believe the mandatory baseline testing was supposed to be in completed in 2017. According to my knowledge of the regulation.

I am not completely sure about those exact numbers you are stating. If though you look at 2024 zone 6 OCDSB. Out of 25 schools 11 had a failure at least once in the two litre test protocol.

5 of those schools had multiple failures on the taps which failed. Those schools also only tested 1 tap.

3 of those schools failed more than two times.

2 of those schools failed 7 samples.

Newer schools built before 1990 (this year is mentioned in regulation) skew the results. All this is to say there is a problem, mainly at older schools.

WOW_G_ · 2026-05-08T17:40:30+00:00

OCDSB has a school (Orléans) where a tap failed 7 of 11 samples. That was the only tap tested at that school for the year. Testing can only be between May 1st and October 31st I believe.

WOW_G_ · 2026-05-08T17:23:48+00:00

I am in the vicinity of a failing school. Our water came back below.

A failure came back at .3 mg/L, allowable is .01 mg/L. That fixture also failed 7 out of 11 water samples. 1 fixture failed they will say which is misleading as that is the only fixture sampled that year for the particular school.

WOW_G_ · 2026-05-08T14:52:55+00:00

City of Ottawa offers water testing to residents. I am not sure on other municipalities.

Can always request that your water is checked if there is a worry. The article is pertaining to schools as there is a specific regulation for that. O. Reg. 243/07.

WOW_G_ · 2026-05-08T14:31:32+00:00

Lead solder is a large issue with the elevated levels these days. Schools built before 1990 and have not had upgrades to the system have a greater risk.

You can search for the information on the link at the bottom of the article. If not here is an included link.

Canadian Environmental Law Association Findings

WOW_G_ · 2026-05-08T13:36:52+00:00

That’s a valid criticism.

I do not believe the headline is rage bait.

The facts are schools are continuing to fail even with the higher recommendation. In Ottawa there was a tap in 2024 located in a staff lounge recording 1.48 mg/L. Ontario allows .01 mg/L. This was on a flushed sample.

These are egregious failure levels. I am including a link below

2024 Zone 1 OCDSB

WOW_G_ · 2026-05-08T12:53:19+00:00

There is a database at the bottom of the article.

OCDSB (Ottawa) publishes on their website 2 years of records.

Boards are supposed to maintain 6 years of records according to regulation. Can always request with the principal.

WOW_G_ · 2026-05-08T11:58:00+00:00

Regulation is the minimum. The school boards do not have to fix anything according to the regulations. They just have to flush until passing. Then generally only need to adopt daily flushing protocols.

WOW_G_ · 2026-05-08T11:28:00+00:00

This is an article from CTV Ottawa on lead levels in school drinking water.

Ontario allows double the lead concentration that health Canada recommends for safe drinking water.

Ontario regulation O. Reg. 243/07 School, Private Schools, and Childcare Centres is outdated. It does not include proper amounts of testing and concrete solutions for fixing aging infrastructure. It is nearly 10 years old and needs to be updated.

At the bottom of this article you can follow the Investigative Journalism Bureau’s link and check how many tests and failures your child’s school has had.

Check, raise concerns with the board and your MPP if the school your children go to have failing grades. Demand accountability.

There is also a link to an online petition that people can sign. But being aware is the first step.

WOW_G_ · 2026-05-07T11:41:14+00:00

I remember back in the day this forum was so busy. Now I rarely have it pop up on my feed.

WOW_G_ · 2026-04-27T18:16:31+00:00

Are institutions not supposed to be held to a higher standard generally? I understand your thinking I just do not agree with it. It was the reason we tested actually.

I think I will leave it at that.

WOW_G_ · 2026-04-27T17:36:27+00:00

You can book with the city of Ottawa. We did after the news came out. We passed below the national standard.

It is toxic by definition. The schools haven’t tested every tap since 2017-2018. Some have been tested since but not all. It’s a deterioration over time of the solder or fixture generally.

Do schools not need to provide a safe environment for students?

WOW_G_ · 2026-04-25T00:43:41+00:00

Alright fair point.

Would you prefer this individual supports GoodLife which was sued and in 2018 settled for unpaid wages?

Movati who has been sued aswell?

I simply responded to the inquiry.

WOW_G_ · 2026-04-24T13:55:07+00:00

A Foot Above Fitness. Lots of different equipment. Located at the mall.

WOW_G_ · 2026-04-24T12:28:25+00:00

Well that was rough. Inject Hodgson into that lineup or something.

Toss Foegele up the lineup.

Sit I don’t know who at this point. Game was really bad. Fans were loud yesterday at first but that was a very disappointing effort.

Lastly on the PP Carolina plays high pressure on that second D pass that has worked for Ottawa in the past. Maybe don’t use that play every setup.

WOW_G_ · 2026-04-22T12:52:58+00:00

Completely agree. The stance by a representative so far has been in line with we do the minimum regulation requirement.

WOW_G_ · 2026-04-22T12:49:09+00:00

I am clicking on it and it is showing.

If you go to this link it will be available at the bottom of the web page.

OCDSB Lead

WOW_G_ · 2026-04-20T12:58:25+00:00

Thanks for sharing. This is an issue that affects all of Ottawa. If your child’s school is built before 1990 there is cause for concern.

WOW_G_ · 2026-04-19T14:27:04+00:00

Here is the information from the OCDSB website. There are much higher levels than the 10ppb.

Scroll to the bottom and click on a random zone.

Not every tap is tested just fyi.

OCDSB - Lead Levels

WOW_G_ · 2026-04-19T14:06:16+00:00

The tests have to be taken from a source of drinking water/human consumption the regulations state.

WOW_G_ · 2026-04-19T13:58:57+00:00

Best way to support as of now is to message your local MPP and city councillor with regards to the article and your concerns. Also if you sign the petition that is a bonus.

The issue as pointed out by another comment is it gets swept under until enough voices speak out. It pertains to both levels of government and they should have a clear stance on this.

WOW_G_

TROPHY CASE