Why is East Gwillimbury sampling drinking water for lead?

The Town of East Gwillimbury regularly conducts annual water testing, including sampling for lead as required by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. Regular testing is done to ensure that the Town continues to provide safe and high-quality drinking water to residents.

The Town’s lead sampling program is done compliance with Ontario Regulation 170/03, under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The provincial legislation and regulations, require all municipalities to regularly sample and test private taps for lead. Due to historically low levels of lead found within East Gwillimbury's private plumbing samples and distribution system samples, the Town is currently on a Ministry approved reduced lead sampling schedule.

All municipalities must complete two sampling rounds per year, between mid-December to mid-April and mid-June to mid-October. Testing in East Gwillimbury takes place over a week within each timeframe.

How is the water tested?

One of our licensed operators will come into your home or business between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to take samples from your kitchen tap or another tap that is used the most for drinking or cooking. The sampling takes approximately 35-40 minutes to complete. The two samples are collected from your home or business are sent to a laboratory for analysis.

How do I get the results?

The Town of East Gwillimbury will notify residents of the results by email or phone after they are received from the laboratory.

Questions?

Email the Water department