No need to fear lead poisoning: official

Even if lead contamination exceeds Saskatchewan Environment standards in certain cases, a glass of tap water is probably safe to drink from anywhere in Prince Albert, said a local health official.

"I don't think people should be worried at all," said Leo Lanoie, Prince Albert Parkland Health Region medical health officer.

On May 15, the city revealed two homes, out of 50 recently sampled, had lead levels above the Saskatchewan Environment safety standard of 0.010 milligrams per litre of water.

One residence had 0.013 mg/l, while the other had 0.018 mg/l. The homes, although located in geographically different areas, were in mature residential landscapes.

The city plans to test nearby homes, as recommended by the health region.

Joanne Marchand lives in an older house in the West Hill. She had most the plumbing in her home replaced after moving in. However, she admits there still might be some lead piping in the building.

Marchand wants to know how much lead it would take before her water would become unsafe.

Lanoie doesn't think Marchand, or any Prince Albert resident for that matter, needs to worry about lead contamination from their drinking water.

For one, he said the government sets acceptable lead levels well below the levels necessary to actually harm a person.

"We like to have a real fudge factor," he said.

Also, for houses with some lead in the water pipes, Lanoie said flushing pipes before taking a drink should remove any lead or other sediments.

For example, residents could take a shower before drinking a glass of water in the morning.

Marchand drinks filtered water, but usually just cooks with water from the tap. By the time she's preparing supper, Marchand said her pipes are pretty much flushed of any collected contaminants.

"By then, it's been running all day."

Fellow West Hill resident Pat Regel isn't too worried about lead contamination. She said her home is too new to have internal lead plumbing and the city replaced the lead service connection lines on her street after a tree root grew into the pipe.

However, Regel said the city should replace all its lead plumbing as soon as possible.

According to Public Works research, there are about 1,000 Prince Albert properties that still have lead-service connection.

chaydu@paherald.sk.ca