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The use of lead service lines was prevalent in Quebec until 1970. It was later prohibited by the Construction Code in 1980. Today, the Government of Quebec oversees the regulation of drinking water quality and sets the standards, recognizing lead as a contaminant that requires reduced exposure.
In March 2019, Health Canada updated the drinking water guideline, reducing the maximum acceptable concentration from 0.01 mg/L (set in 1992) to 0.005 mg/L based on the latest scientific findings. Following suit, Quebec became the first province to adopt these lowered norms in October 2019.
Hampstead is dedicated to testing the water in every dwelling to determine compliance with the new maximum acceptable level, aiming to ultimately remove public water service lines made of lead. Additonally, Hampstead performs maintenance on their water network regularly and samples water to be tested for contaminants. The health of residents is a priority. By-Laws Number 1031
Hampstead’s water is provided by two water treatment plants: the Atwater treatment plant (Sud-Ouest) and the Charles-J.-Des Baillets treatment plant (LaSalle). The water is safe, regularly tested and reaches Hampstead via an underground water network made of cast iron and PCV. There are little to no traces of lead in the water as it travels through the underground water network. If you have received the result of your water analysis and your result is 0.005 mg/L or less, this is considered acceptable. The Ministry of Health still recommends that water be filtered below the norm if the result is between 0.0021 mg/L and 0.005 mg/L.
At the scheduled time, a technician arrives to conduct the required test, following established protocols. They collect a water sample, usually from the kitchen sink, which takes 45 minutes to complete. They will run the water for 5 minutes. Thereafter, the water cannot be used for a period of stagnation of 30 minutes, then the water sample will be collected. The sample is then transported to an accredited laboratory for analysis. Letters disclosing the detected lead levels during the examination are sent to the address in question. These letters undergo review by the Quebec public health authority, the Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal.
Residents who have received the result from their first water sampling, indicating the water exceeds the maximum acceptable concentration of 0.005 mg/L, must book a sequential test (second test). The sequential test aims to assess lead levels beyond the valve and towards the public portion, aiding Hampstead in determining the need for excavation and establishing the priority level of excavation, with priority given to the highest levels first.
If your test result for lead in drinking water is higher than 0.005 mg/L and you have infants, children, or pregnant women in your household, it is important to take immediate action to reduce lead levels while awaiting the next test. Here are some immediate actions you can take:
It is crucial to conduct additional sampling following elevated results. Please schedule your second appointment as soon as possible within the testing window to ensure accurate monitoring and evaluation of lead levels. By taking these precautionary measures and seeking further testing, you can minimize the potential risks associated with elevated lead levels in your drinking water.
A water service pipe connects a building to the municipal water supply. Property owners are responsible for the pipe from their home to the water shut-off valve (referred to as the private portion) and the Town owns and maintains the pipe from the water shut-off valve to the watermain (referred to as the public portion). In Quebec, lead gets into drinking water mainly as a result of dissolution of lead from pipes, especially the service line, between some houses and the municipal distribution system.
The responsibility is shared between the Town and the home owners. The public section (from the water main to the shut-off valve) is replaced at the Town’s expense. The private section (from the shut-off valve to the tap) is replaced at the owner’s expense.
The private section of water service lines, comprising pipes, fittings, and faucets from the shut-off valve to the tap, may potentially be constructed with lead materials. It is the responsibility of homeowners to consult with a plumber to assess whether such lead components are present and if any necessary actions are required for their residence. The replacement of the private section is the homeowner’s financial responsibility. To maintain impartiality, Hampstead does not provide specific referrals or recommendations for services or companies to carry out this work on residents’ properties. While Hampstead cannot enforce the replacement of lead pipes, we strongly recommend homeowners to consider replacing the private section of water service lines if they are made of lead.
Each home will receive a complimentary water pitcher along with a lead filter. If the filter needs to be replaced, convenient options are available for purchase both online and at various retail locations. To obtain the pitcher, residents can visit either the Town Hall or the community center. Please remember to bring a valid proof of residency, as this offer is exclusively available to Hampstead residents.
Explore our interactive map below to learn more about the work completed by the Town of Hampstead.
For an address to be added to the lead pipe replacement list, Hampstead must complete a first water sampling and a sequential test (second sample) to locate the source of the lead. Once the analysis is completed, the results will indicate where the lead is coming from and what replacements are required.
The first water sampling is to determine if your address is below the maximum acceptable concentration for total lead in drinking water, which is 0.005 mg/L. The technician will collect a water sample for analysis by an accredited laboratory to determine if the lead concentration is equal to or below 0.005 mg/L.
Residents who have received the result from the first water sampling, indicating their water exceeds the maximum acceptable concentration of 0.005 mg/L, must schedule a sequential test. Please be aware that your booking will be cancelled if you haven’t completed the first test. The sequential test aims to assess lead levels beyond the valve and towards the public portion, aiding Hampstead in determining the need for excavation and establishing the priority level of excavation, with priority given to the highest levels first.
Once you have completed your first and second test, you will be placed on a priority list for excavation. Excavation are being completed until November 2023 (under the ground freezes).
After the excavation, residents must schedule an appointment for a third sampling. This test is to confirm that the replacement of the lead pipes has successfully lowered the lead levels. Please note that this sampling can only be conducted three months after the excavation to allow sufficient time for the flushing process to take effect. If you book the appointment too soon, it will need to be rescheduled accordingly.
Replacing the private portion of the service line is your responsibility as an owner. Please plan the replacement of your service line.
| No Lead Concentration (>0.002) | No measure. |
Low Lead Concentration below applicable standard (0.005⩽0.002) | Interventions should be made to locate and replace problematic plumbing fixtures (ex: welds between the pipes), and actions to be taken to reduce the exposure to lead. |
| Relatively High Concentration; Exceeding applicable standard (<0.005) | Interventions should be made to locate and replace problematic plumbing fixtures (ex: service entrance), and actions to be taken to reduce the exposure to lead. |
Please be advised that a follow-up will be done as soon as a lead concentration is detected.
The Town has adopted this Action Plan to ensure full compliance with the standards established by the Quebec government, while providing clear and proactive communication to all residents.
Phase 1: Inventory of Districts to Prioritize
Given that the majority of Hampstead’s infrastructure was built prior to 1970, the Town will implement a plan to determine the collection method for water samples to be tested. Residents impacted by this initiative will receive a detailed letter outlining the next steps.
Additionally, in 2023, Town Council approved a resolution to offer lead testing to every residential property in Hampstead, to ensure a comprehensive evaluation across the territory.
Phase 2: Water Testing
The Town will award a contract to a specialized firm responsible for collecting water samples from residents’ taps. The primary objective is to assess potential exposure to lead and to prioritize compliance monitoring in properties that may be at higher risk.
As different sampling protocols can yield variations in results, it is essential that the selected protocol aligns with the provincial guidelines and meets the Town’s objective of accurately identifying lead concentrations at the tap.
Protocol: Water Sample Collection Process
Residents will be instructed to run the most frequently used tap (typically located in the kitchen) for five minutes. Following this, the tap must remain closed and unused for a period of 30 minutes. After this stagnation period, the water sample can be collected according to established procedures.
Phase 3: Inventory and Planning of Service Entrances and Targeted Pipes
Following the analysis of water samples, results will determine whether the presence of lead is attributable to the service line, the internal plumbing, or other potential sources such as fixtures or soldering. Where necessary, pipe or connection replacements may be required to address the situation fully.
Responsibility for Replacing Water Service Pipes
Responsibility for the replacement of water service lines is shared between the Town and homeowners.
The Town strongly recommends that homeowners undertake investigations of the private portion of their plumbing systems, particularly at the service entrance, to identify and remediate any potential sources of lead.
Phase 4: Ongoing Communication and Feedback
The Town will keep residents informed regarding any upcoming work on municipal infrastructure related to water service connections. Homeowners will also be advised of any necessary work on private property identified through the testing process.
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:
Boiling water will not remove lead because lead does not evaporate. It can even increase the lead concentration in the water.
For further information, here are links that can help you:
| 2022 | |
| June | First Contact Letter |
| July to October | Sampling for analysis of lead concentration in drinking water |
| Fall | Excavations and replacement of lead pipes on the public portion of the service entrance |
| November to Spring 2023 | Visual inspection by a member of the Public Works Aqueduct team |
| 2023 | |
| May | Excavations and replacement of lead pipes on the public portion of the service entrance |
| July 1 | Return of samples for analysis of lead concentration in drinking water |
| 2024 | |
| May | Excavations and replacement of lead pipes on the public portion of the service entrance |
| July 1 | Return of targeted samples for analysis of lead concentration in drinking water |
| 2025 | |
| June | Excavations and replacement of lead pipes on the public portion of the service entrance |
| July 1 | Return of targeted samples for analysis of lead concentration in drinking water |
*Please note that several projects are underway simultaneously to make rapid progress and reduce contaminant exposure in the community.
