Lead in Drinking Water

2022–2025 Campaign Summary and Ongoing Regulatory Compliance

Lead service lines were commonly used prior to 1970 and banned under the Building Code in 1980. Since October 2019, Québec applies a maximum acceptable concentration of 0.005 mg/L.

Between 2022 and 2025, the Town of Hampstead conducted a comprehensive lead testing and pipe replacement campaign.

The Town remains fully compliant with provincial regulations.

In accordance with drinking water legislation, 10 residences will be tested each summer (July to September) as part of ongoing monitoring requirements.

Residents’ health remains a priority.

What has been completed (2022–2025)

Priority sector inventory
Free residential water sampling and testing
Sequential sampling to locate the lead source
Replacement of public lead service lines
Free NSF/ANSI 53 certified filter pitchers
Ongoing collaboration with public health authorities

Consult the interactive map to view completed work.

Ongoing Monitoring

Although the initial campaign has been completed, the Town continues to:

Maintain an annual sampling program
Perform preventive maintenance on the water distribution network
Analyze results in collaboration with public health authorities
Prioritize any intervention deemed necessary

All testing is conducted in accordance with applicable provincial protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink my water?

Hampstead’s drinking water is supplied by the Atwater and Charles-J.-Des Baillets treatment plants. It is tested regularly and meets Québec’s regulatory standards.

If your result is equal to or below 0.005 mg/L, it complies with the Québec standard.

However, the Ministère de la Santé recommends the use of a certified filter if results fall between 0.0021 mg/L and 0.005 mg/L.

How is a test conducted? (Methodology)

Water is flushed for 5 minutes (initial purge)
A 30-minute stagnation period follows
A sample is collected
Laboratory analysis is performed by an accredited facility
Results are transmitted to the resident
Public health authorities review the findings

What should I do if my result exceeds 0.005 mg/L?

Recommended immediate measures:

Use bottled water for drinking and cooking
Install an NSF/ANSI 53 certified filter
Do not use tap water to prepare infant formula

⚠️ Boiling water does not reduce lead levels.

Lead presents a concern only if ingested. Tap water remains safe for:

Showering
Bathing
Laundry
Dishwashing.

Informations

Responsibility for Service Lines

Responsibility is shared:

Public portion: replaced by the Town
Private portion: responsibility of the property owner

The Town strongly recommends having the private portion assessed.

Public Health Recommendations

When necessary, the Town will issue a notice to ensure the safety of its citizens. Examples are: Boil-water advisory, Water Interruption service, Do-not-consume advisory, Do-not use advisory.

To reduce exposure to lead and minimize your risk, here are the recommendations from Public Health Quebec:

Use a water filter pitcher, a tap filter or a pipe filter under your sink. These devices must be certified for lead reduction in accordance with NSF/ANSI standard 53, and the manufacturer’s installation and maintenance instructions must be followed carefully.
To flush water that has stagnated in the service line, run the tap for a few minutes once the water is cold (cool in summer) before drinking it, especially if it has been sitting in the pipes for many hours (in the morning and when you get home from work).
When preparing food, infant formula and drinks, use only cold tap water. Hot water tends to contain more lead.
Remove and clean the aerator (small filter) in the spout of the tap regularly because lead can build up in it.

Boiling water will not remove lead because lead does not evaporate. It can even increase the lead concentration in the water.

Official Sources

Ministère de l’Environnement
Health Canada
Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal