Program updates coming in spring 2020
On September 25, 2019, Council approved updates to the Lead Pipe Replacement Program, including minor updates to its existing loan program, and two new enhancements that will be implemented by spring 2020:
Rebate option
A new rebate of up to $1,000 – approximately 20% of the pipe replacement cost – will be available to property owners with only a private lead water service pipe.
Filter kits
The City will offer impacted residents a reusable pitcher and approximately a one-year supply of NSF-53 certified water filters to remove lead from their drinking water while they wait for replacement of their lead water service pipe.
Living in a home built before 1955?
Living in a home built before 1955? The Lead Pipe Replacement Program provides support to eligible residents with the replacement of the public and private portions of a residential property’s lead service pipe.
What is a water service pipe?
A water service pipe connects a building to the City’s municipal water supply. Property owners are responsible for the pipe up to their property line and the City owns and maintains the pipe from the property line to the water main.
How can I tell if I have a lead service pipe?
If your home was built after 1955, you do not have a lead service pipe. For older homes, the best way to determine if a service pipe is lead or copper is to scratch the service pipe with sandpaper to expose bare metal.
The only visible portion of the pipe is 50 cm in length, located between your basement’s concrete floor and the water meter. Lead pipes are dull grey in colour and are easily scratched by a hard object. Copper pipes are red-brown and corroded portions may show a green deposit.
Information on the Lead Pipe Replacement Program is available at Ottawa.ca.
