Manu Schwendener
lead pipes
Halton Regional Council is calling on the Ministry of Education to put the health and safety of students first by removing all lead pipes and lead-based materials that supply the water service in public educational facilities.
The resolution by Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette was followed with a letter to Minister of Education Stephen Lecce, calling on the provincial government to ensure this happens swiftly.
“Although lead is dangerous for all, children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead as it may affect their physical and mental development and in some cases result in brain damage or death,” said Mayor Burton.
Lead found in Oakville's drinking water story - Mayor Rob Burton - November 5 2019
Regional Municipality of Halton drinking water is tested annually with 99.3 per cent of samples found to be in compliance with Provincial legislation for lead limit in drinking water thanks to a cast iron watermain replacement program that eliminated all lead water services on public property and private property.
“Given that school boards have the responsibility to regularly test lead levels in their facilities’ water, as well as lead pipe replacements as outlined in the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, we believe our call to the provincial government is a reasonable request,” Mayor Burton said.
The resolution has been forwarded to all Halton municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Minister of Education and the Premier of Ontario, local MPPs and made publicly available.
Mayor's Motion to remove lead pipes from Schools
Dated: November 20, 2019
WHEREAS news reports on unsafe levels of lead in drinking water across Canada have created concerns and awareness of lead in drinking water;
WHEREAS Regional Municipality of Halton drinking water is safe and is tested annually and 99.3 percent of samples were found to be compliance with Provincial legislation for lead limit in drinking water;
WHEREAS Regional Municipality of Halton initiated a cast iron watermain replacement program that essentially eliminated all lead water services on public property and therefore the risk to lead exposure in Halton Region is extremely low;
WHEREAS school boards have the responsibility to conduct regular lead testing, pipe flushing, pipe replacements and notifications as legislated through the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 and school safety is a responsibility of the Ministry of Education and the Ontario government;
WHEREAS the news reports have identified the potential for lead exposure to schools in Ontario;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT the Council of the Region of Halton calls on the Ministry of Education to put the health and safety of students first and remove all lead pipes and lead based materials that supply the water service in public educational facilities.
AND THAT this resolution be forwarded to all Halton municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Minister of Education and the Premier of Ontario, local MPPs, and made publicly available.
