July 21st, 2022
The local public health unit and the MECP are notified within 24 hours when a testing laboratory detects an exceedance of the standard for lead in a school, private school or child care centre’s drinking water sample. It is important to understand that facilities must take immediate action, at any tap or fountain, where a test result from a flushed sample does not meet the standard. They must render the tap or fountain inaccessible to children by disconnecting or bagging it until the issue is resolved, as well as take any other steps as directed by the local Medical Officer of Health.
Corrective actions can include:
- replacing or removing the fixture
- increasing flushing to daily
- resampling the fixture that had the exceedance
- taking any other measures as directed.
When the standard is exceeded in schools and child care centres, the prescribed corrective actions ensure the safety of children and reduce lead in drinking water by using the best available technologies and practices.
Throughout the year as the exceedances occur, as well as during inspections, MECP staff ensure corrective actions issued by the local medical officer of health are followed and implemented by the facility owner.
