{"id":16848,"date":"2019-12-05T14:15:48","date_gmt":"2019-12-05T18:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/montreal-west.ca\/?page_id=16848"},"modified":"2025-06-11T10:25:26","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T14:25:26","slug":"lead-in-drinking-water","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/montreal-ouest.ca\/en\/resident-services\/public-works\/lead-in-drinking-water\/","title":{"rendered":"Lead in drinking water"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The drinking water produced by the Montreal water treatment plant is of very good quality. However, the dissolution of lead pipes and lead plumbing can make it possible for lead to be present in the water. Until the 1970s, the municipal water service lines were built with lead pipes. Since 1990, and in accordance with the Quebec Plumbing Code, the Town actively replaces lead water service lines on the public side during its rehabilitation projects. To date, approximately 70% of the water service lines on the public side are lead-free. The Town will continue replacing lead pipes in all its future infrastructure work until all lead pipes have been replaced.<\/p>

In October 2019, the Quebec government announced that it will adopt the new Health Canada guidelines on lead levels in drinking water. This lowers the maximum acceptable concentration of lead in drinking water from 0.010 mg\/liter to 0.005 mg\/liter. These new norms mean that certain homes and buildings in Montreal West may now exceed the allowed concentration of lead in drinking water.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Frequently asked questions<\/h2>

1. Is the drinking water in Montreal West of good quality?<\/strong><\/p>

The drinking water produced by the Montreal water treatment plant is of very good quality.<\/p>

2. If the water is of good quality, how is it possible for lead to be found in the drinking water?<\/strong><\/p>

The drinking water supply pipes serving some buildings can make it possible for lead to be present in the water. The presence of lead can come from the water service lines (on the private or the public side) and from internal plumbing fixtures (welding, taps and accessories). The buildings at risk of having a lead service entrance are those with fewer than eight units, built before 1970 and those built between 1940 and 1950, commonly known as wartime housing.<\/p>

3. What is a water service line?<\/strong><\/p>

A water service line connects a building with the municipal water supply. The service line consists of 2 parts: a public section managed by the Town and a private section managed by the owners.<\/p>

The Town is responsible for the portion of pipe running from the water main to the shut-off valve, while property owners are responsible for the portion running from the valve to the home or building.<\/p>

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4. Are the water service lines on my property made of lead?<\/strong><\/p>

Since 1990, and in accordance with the Quebec Plumbing Code, the Town actively replaces lead water services lines on the public side during its rehabilitation projects. To date, approximately 70% of the water service lines on the public side are lead-free.<\/p>

Here is a list of streets for which the infrastructure was redone since 2007 and there is a very low risk of finding lead service lines on the public side<\/strong>. Residents living on these streets are not eligible for the rebate program.<\/p>
NORTH<\/strong><\/td>CENTER<\/strong><\/td>SOUTH<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>
  • Crestwood<\/li>
  • Banstead<\/li>
  • Sheraton (from Cote Saint Luc Road to #135\/136)<\/em><\/li>
  • Rugby<\/li>
  • Smart<\/li>
  • Radcliffe<\/li>
  • Wolseley N<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
  • Brock N. (between Northview and Fielding)<\/em><\/li>
  • Brock N. (between Curzon and Sherbrooke)<\/em><\/li>
  • Ballantyne N.<\/li>
  • Strathearn N. (between Northview and Nelson)<\/em><\/li>
  • Strathearn N. (between Curzon and Milner)<\/em><\/li>
  • Percival (between the cul-de-sac and Nelson)<\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/td>