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Originally published:<\/b> May 23, 2014
\nStatus: <\/b>Archived historical article
\n<\/span>Last editorial review: <\/b>October 2026
\n<\/span><\/i>Source: <\/b>Canada Metro News<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

[Canada Metro News] Water quality tests on drinking water samples collected from 15,000 Toronto households over the past six years show that as many as 13% of them contain lead levels above the standard. Lead affects brain and nervous system development, with the greatest impact on fetuses, infants, and children under 6 years of age. Doctors warn that symptoms of elevated lead exposure in young children include shortened attention spans, attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), decreased IQ, and behavioral problems. Compiled report
\nWater quality tests on drinking water samples collected from 15,000 households in Toronto over the past six years show that as many as 13% exceeded lead limits, with some exceeding the limit by more than 2,000 times. Areas with dangerous levels of lead in drinking water are mostly older residential neighborhoods with outdated infrastructure but generally high property values. Those with the highest lead levels include High Park, Lawrence Park (in the area around Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue), the Annex south of downtown, and residential areas in East York.<\/p>\n

The samples were collected from faucets by Toronto residents between 2008 and this year and submitted to the city for testing. The Star obtained the results through a Freedom of Information Act request. Health Canada has set the maximum acceptable level at 10 parts per billion, but experts point out that there is no such thing as a \u201csafe\u201d level and that the affected pipes should be replaced entirely. City officials estimate that 40,000 buildings in Toronto still use lead pipes, most of which were built before the mid-1950s. However, lead pipes are not capable of handling the water pressure in apartment buildings with more than six units, so residents in such buildings need not be concerned.<\/p>\n

Can Cause Kidney Failure in Adults<\/b><\/p>\n

Mark Haan, a resident of East York, said he works part-time for a nonprofit organization and has a 10-year-old son; he cannot afford to replace the lead pipes in his home. However, many Canadian cities offer loans and subsidies to residents replacing their home\u2019s plumbing. Lead affects brain and nervous system development, and in adults, it can lead to high blood pressure and kidney failure.
\nCity officials recommend that residents with high lead levels in their drinking water install water filters at home, breastfeed their infants, run the faucet once in the morning and once in the afternoon until cold water flows, and use cold water for cooking and drinking. Residents can call 311 toll-free to request water testing kits, which can be picked up at Toronto Public Health offices. Afterward, they should return the water samples to the agency for analysis. If lead levels exceed the standard, it is recommended to arrange for a private contractor to replace the plumbing within the residential unit (at a cost of approximately 3,000 yuan) and to apply to the city to replace the municipal water mains.<\/p>\n

Lead Pipe Toxicity Expert Advises: \u201cLet the Water Run for 5 Minutes Before Drinking\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

Water quality experts believe that reports indicating Toronto\u2019s drinking water poses a health hazard\u2014with 13% of households having tap water at high-risk levels exceeding standards\u2014are not alarmist. This is a legacy issue stemming from the fact that some of the city\u2019s underground drinking water pipes are made of the heavy metal lead, which has led to drinking water safety problems over the years.<\/p>\n

Daily Lead Ingestion Can Cause Blood Poisoning<\/b><\/p>\n

Accredited water quality expert Zhao Wenjie pointed out that the city government has been seeking solutions. Under the current circumstances, the simplest and most effective method is to let the tap run for about 5 minutes every morning before drinking the first glass of cold water. To reduce the risks associated with household tap water, residents may consider installing water filters or water softening systems.<\/p>\n

Zhao Wenjie stated that Toronto\u2019s household tap water has long posed numerous health risks, though these have only recently come to light. From before the 1950s through the early 1990s, the city\u2019s underground drinking water pipes\u2014part of its infrastructure\u2014were primarily made of lead, which was used to transport drinking water to every household. The city government used lead pipes because they are rigid, easy to solder, and resistant to damage. However, lead is a toxic heavy metal that, once accumulated in the human body, cannot be excreted.
\nZhao Wenjie explained that after decades of use, lead pipes naturally flake or leave behind lead residue. As this water flows through household plumbing, it inevitably becomes contaminated with lead. The situation may be even more severe in older neighborhoods; when residents drink tap water, they are essentially ingesting lead every day. Over time, this can harm health; in severe cases, it may lead to kidney disease, blood poisoning, and damage to the central nervous system, while children may develop conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Therefore, since the 1990s, the city government has banned the use of lead pipes in underground drinking water systems, replacing them with other materials such as plastic pipes.<\/p>\n

In fact, many city governments were aware of the drinking water issues more than 10 years ago and had encouraged residents to install water filters (NSF 53) that meet the standards set by the National Sanitation Foundation, or purified water (soft water) systems (NSF 58), on their water pipes. This is because soft water can effectively remove lead\u2014a heavy metal\u2014through ion exchange (ION), thereby protecting public health.<\/p>\n

Installing Water Filters Reduces Risk<\/b><\/p>\n

Zhao Wenjie noted that if a water filter or filtration system is not installed, a temporary solution is to let the water run for about 5 minutes every morning before drinking the first glass of water (not hot water). The purpose is to flush out any sediment, toxic substances, or bacteria that may have accumulated in the pipes. If the city is performing maintenance or replacing underground water pipes, it is even more important to let the water run for at least 15 minutes before drinking the first glass of water. Additionally, residents should regularly flush the internal filters in their home\u2019s plumbing to reduce risks.<\/p>\n

Exceeding the Limit by 2,000 Times Poses a Serious Health Risk<\/b><\/p>\n

York Region\u2019s regional government has stated that it does not have issues with lead levels in drinking water exceeding standards, as seen in Toronto. Some family doctors have pointed out that there is no safety standard for lead in drinking water, and exceeding the limit can have a significant impact on human health. Even annual physical exams cannot detect cases of mild lead poisoning.<\/p>\n

York Region spokesperson Barbara Moss responded via email on Tuesday to an inquiry from A1 Chinese Radio\u2019s current affairs program *A1 Outbreak*, stating that York Region and its nine municipalities have achieved excellent results in their drinking water lead testing programs and do not need to take any corrective action. She added that York Region has no lead-based plumbing connections; water pipes are made of plastic, high-pressure concrete, and ductile iron.<\/p>\n

Hot Water Makes Lead More Prone to Flaking Off<\/b><\/p>\n

Family physician Lin Renyu, interviewed on the program, explained that lead is a heavy metal that poses a greater risk to human health, particularly for infants and children under six years of age. Because children\u2019s brains and nervous systems are still developing, excessive lead exposure can impair IQ development and lead to behavioral issues such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).<\/p>\n

He noted that excessive lead exposure is also harmful to adults, as lead can damage internal organs\u2014most severely the heart and kidneys\u2014and can cause high blood pressure. However, he explained that since the symptoms of mild lead poisoning are not obvious, it may go undetected even if present. Unless individuals experience severe abdominal pain, headaches, or high blood pressure, they may remain unaware of the problem unless they undergo a blood test. However, high-dose or acute lead poisoning can result in convulsions, coma, or even death. Lin Renyu added that annual physical examinations do not include blood lead level testing unless a patient exhibits symptoms consistent with lead poisoning.<\/p>\n

He also noted that, to his knowledge, there is no \u201csafe\u201d standard for lead; even the levels recognized by Health Canada are only approximate, and many experts believe that drinking water should not contain even a single part per million of lead.<\/p>\n

The medical community also lacks a standard for determining exactly how much lead in drinking water\u2014or for how long\u2014would affect health. However, he believes that the Toronto Star\u2019s report\u2014which indicated that lead levels in the drinking water of some Toronto households exceeded the standard by 2,000 times\u2014represents a major health concern, and that both the city government and residents must replace lead pipes. He also urged residents to use cold water as much as possible for cooking, as hot water can cause lead to flake off the inner walls of the pipes.<\/p>\n

Denzil Minnan-Wong: Homeowners Should Be Held Accountable<\/b><\/p>\n

Following reports on Toronto\u2019s lead-in-drinking-water issue, some city councilors have urged the city to accelerate the replacement of lead pipes within its jurisdiction. Denzil Minnan-Wong (pictured), Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee and City Councilor, stated that the city must carefully consider this matter and that homeowners should be held accountable for their respective sections of the pipes.<\/p>\n

City Councilor Joe Mihevc, Chair of the Toronto Board of Health, stated that the city must accelerate the pace of pipe replacement to previous levels and must educate residents on testing the quality of their home\u2019s drinking water and replacing pipes with lead levels exceeding the standard. City Councilor Sarah Doucette suggested that the city could draw on funds from the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) to provide loans to residents whose water pipes need to be replaced.<\/p>\n

\u201cLead Levels Are Rising, Not Falling\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

In 2008, water quality test results prompted the city government to begin replacing lead water pipes within its jurisdiction that same year. In 2007, the city approved a budget of 236 million yuan to complete the replacement of water pipes in approximately 65,000 buildings within the city by 2016. However, due to a lack of public awareness of the issue and the fact that residents were required to pay for the replacement of pipes within their own homes, the city\u2019s pipe replacement efforts often outpaced residents\u2019 preparations. As a result, lead levels did not decline but actually rose. The city therefore significantly slowed the pace of pipe replacement in 2011, reducing the annual target from 11,000 households to 5,000 to ensure that the city\u2019s and residents\u2019 replacement efforts proceeded in tandem. Source: The Star<\/p>\n

Grand Chessboard Commentary by Wei Yan<\/b><\/p>\n

Safety concerns regarding Toronto\u2019s drinking water were exposed by the media yesterday. The Star reported that over the past six years, at least 13 percent of Toronto households have had lead levels in their drinking water exceeding safety standards, with some levels as much as 2,000 times higher than the limit. This issue is not merely about lead in drinking water; it also reveals the extent to which the city government is responsible for public health.<\/p>\n

The problem exposed this time is not a flaw in the water quality itself, but rather that lead pipes in some older homes have contaminated the drinking water. It is estimated that 40,000 households in Toronto are still drinking water with high lead levels every day.<\/p>\n

Excessive lead levels in the drinking water of some Toronto households are not a new problem. The city originally had a plan to replace lead pipes, but the number of households targeted for replacement has been steadily reduced from the initial 10,000 to just over 3,000. One reason for this is that residents are unwilling to spend at least $3,000 to replace the lead pipes inside their homes.<\/p>\n

Drinking water is essential to daily life, and lead levels exceeding safety standards undoubtedly pose a risk to human health. Although there is currently no evidence that residents have experienced health problems from drinking water with excessively high lead levels, wouldn\u2019t it be too late once it is confirmed that someone has fallen ill as a result? Moreover, the resulting medical costs should not be borne by taxpayers. It is only natural that residents should be responsible for replacing lead pipes inside their homes, but some residents truly cannot afford it. Is it justifiable for the city government to stand idly by in such cases? Some city council members have stated that if the city government were to bear the full cost, it might be accused of misusing public funds.<\/p>\n

This precisely highlights that amid all the talk of saving money, the city government is failing to act on matters closely related to public health\u2014such as replacing lead pipes\u2014even though it should be doing so.<\/p>\n

In fact, the city government does provide water quality testing services; in 2008, there were over 4,500 test cases, but by last year, that number had dropped to fewer than 800. Is the city government intentionally downplaying the problem in order to cut costs wherever possible?<\/p>\n

Beneath the facade of a \u201cmodern and safe\u201d city, aside from the lead levels in drinking water exceeding standards in some residential areas, how many other social problems\u2014unidentified but with serious implications for people\u2019s livelihoods\u2014remain?<\/p>\n

2026 Editorial Update<\/b><\/h3>\n

This article was originally published in 2014 and is reproduced above as originally published. Some terminology, health guidance, drinking-water standards, and government programs have changed since then.<\/p>\n

In particular, the frequently cited figure of approximately 40,000 Toronto homes refers to properties estimated to have lead water service lines; it does not mean that all 40,000 homes had drinking water exceeding the applicable lead limit. The 13% figure refers to approximately 13% of the household water samples tested in the 2008\u20132014 testing program that exceeded the then-applicable Canadian guideline of 10 ppb.<\/p>\n

Health Canada’s drinking-water guideline for lead was subsequently lowered to 5 ppb in 2019. Toronto also introduced corrosion-control treatment in 2014 to reduce lead corrosion and continues to address remaining lead service lines.<\/p>\n

Some health statements in the original article, including statements about ADHD, kidney failure, and lead remaining permanently in the body, should be understood as simplified or overstated descriptions of the scientific evidence. Current evidence supports the conclusion that lead exposure is harmful, particularly to developing children, but individual health effects depend on the level, duration and route of exposure.<\/p>\n

The original article’s statements about Toronto’s policies and the City’s handling of the issue also include editorial opinions and should be distinguished from independently documented facts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"portfolio_category":[211],"portfolio_skills":[],"portfolio_tags":[],"class_list":["post-5887","avada_portfolio","type-avada_portfolio","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","portfolio_category-knowledge-center"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t