Lead Water Service Line Replacement

During road reconstruction projects, the City will replace lead water service lines on the “City-side”. Lead water service lines that were commonly used until the mid-1970’s, are now known to pose various health impacts. Through the City’s rebate program, property owners are encouraged to replace the private-side lead service lines at the same time. Learn more on the Ontario government’s webpage about lead water service lines.

The purpose of the Lead Service Replacement Rebate Program is to provide a financial incentive for property owners to replace private-side lead service lines that have been identified during a City road reconstruction project.

Apply for the rebate program

Properties with lead service lines

Before road reconstruction projects, the City will complete in-house or service box inspections within the project area to locate private-side lead services. If City staff confirm there is private-side lead service lines, a letter confirming the rebate eligibility will be hand delivered to the property and mailed to the registered owner of the property.

Water services are the pipes that connect City-owned watermains to building plumbing to provide municipal water. Services are owned by the City from the watermain up to the property line (“City-side water service”) and are owned by the property owner from the property line to the building plumbing (“private-side water service”).

Instructions if your lead service is disturbed or replaced

The American Waterworks Association (procedure AWWA C810-17) recommends this procedure for the homeowner to flush the water lines, when a lead service is discovered and disturbed.

Disturbance to lead service lines can occur from on-site or nearby construction, including such activities as road reconstruction or repair of a service line leak.

You are advised to not use hot water in the premise plumbing until initial flushing is completed to prevent sedimentation of lead particles in premise hot water tanks.
Find all the faucets that will drain, including the basement and all floors in your house.
Remove aerators and screens whenever possible, including the shower heads, from all faucets you plan to flush. (Note that aerators and screens left on can catch particles of lead; if you cannot remove the aerator it is not recommended to use the faucet for flushing).
Include the laundry tubs, hose-bibs (outside hose connections), bathtubs, and showers as flushing points.
After all the aerators are off, open the COLD water faucets in the basement or lowest floor in the house. Leave all faucets running at highest rate possible, using cold water only.
After the (COLD water) faucets are all open in lowest floor, open the faucets on next highest floor of the house. Continue until faucets are open on all floors.
After all faucets are opened, leave the water running for at least 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, turn off the first faucet you opened and continue to turn off other faucets in the same order you turned them on.
Clean aerators/screens at each faucet (rinse free of debris). You may need to replace screens/aerators if too old or worn.

Until your lead service is replaced:

You are encouraged to do a miniflush of premise plumbing by running tap water each morning or when the water sits in the pipe for at least 6 hours. Flush for five minutes to displace water that has been sitting in the pipes inside the house and in the service line. This could include taking a shower, running the dishwasher, flushing a toilet, collecting water for (non-food producing) plants/garden, or running the faucet. The customer should do this before using any water for drinking, cooking, infant formula, and so on.
You can also purchase a home treatment device to reduce your exposure to lead, but you should make sure it is independently certified for that purpose and properly maintained. Contact a local plumber for assistance

a) Home treatment devices use various types filter materials.

b) The effectiveness of these devices in reducing lead can vary greatly, so it is important that the model you select is certified to reduce lead according to NSF/ANSI-53.

c) Make sure to maintain the device as specified by the manufacturer. Failure to do so may result in exposure to higher lead levels.

Applying for the rebate

If your property has been confirmed to have private-side lead water service lines, the Registered Owner(s), or the Authorized Agent of Registered Owner(s) should submit a complete Application for Lead Service Rebate Program with the supporting documentation as set out in the Application Guide.

If access is refused to City staff during the inspection process, the property may not be eligible for the program. Properties are typically eligible for the rebate within one year of the road reconstruction project.

There is no fee for the application.

Application for Lead Service Rebate Program

Application Guide

Application - City Portion (to be completed by City Staff and will be required as part of your application).

Application - Contractor Portion (to be completed by your Contractor and will be required as part of your application).

Vendor Direct Deposit Form

Who can apply for the rebate?

Those property owners adjacent to a City road reconstruction project, where the private-side water service has been determined by the City to be lead or lead-containing, may apply for the rebate program. Additionally, where private-side water services have been determined to be lead, but there is no active or planned road reconstruction project, eligibility for the rebate will be determined by City staff.

When can I apply?

Application for the rebate program can be made when a private-side lead water service has been replaced within one calendar year (either before or after) a City road reconstruction project, where the City has notified you that your private-side water line is lead or lead-containing.

What portion of the lead service replacement cost is eligible for a rebate?

The rebate will apply for the partial costs incurred for lead service replacement of the private-side portion of the water service (i.e., from the property line to the exterior of the building). The rebate will apply for 100% of the eligible costs up to a payable maximum of $5,000 per property.

Eligible costs include:

Pipe installation and all pertinent works, such as earth excavation, bedding, piping and fittings, connections, backfill, compaction, final grading of the backfill, removal and disposal of the existing pipework and soil, etc.,
New water meter package (required),
Building Permit (required).

Per Municipal Code Chapter 1019 - Drinking Water System, any replacement of a lead service line would require a new meter package as outlined under 1019.5.5 (c):

(c) In the event the municipal water service line and or the plumbing system within a building are upgraded, a current water meter package must be purchased from the City in accordance with Schedule ‘A’ of Municipal Code Chapter 459 and it shall be installed at the property owner’s expense.

Ineligible Costs include, but are not limited to:

Internal building plumbing lines or fixtures,
Above grade restoration works, such as lawn, landscaping, driveways, walkways, etc.,
Harmonized Sales Tax and other taxes or fees, as applicable.

Ineligible costs would not be covered by the rebate program and would need to be paid for in full by the property owner at their own expense.

Will the City replace the private side lines?

Special permission may be provided by the City to replace private-side lead service lines where significant negative impacts are not present, such as disruption of City infrastructure or where the City-side is determined to currently be lead.

Can't I just buy a filter to remove the lead from my drinking water?

If you have a confirmed lead service, you can purchase a home treatment device to reduce your exposure to lead, but you should make sure it is independently certified for that purpose and properly maintained. Contact a local plumber for assistance. Of note:

Home treatment devices use various types of filter materials.
The effectiveness of these devices in reducing lead can vary greatly, so it is important that the model you select is certified to reduce lead according to NSF/ANSI-53.
Make sure to maintain the device as specified by the manufacturer. Failure to do so may result in exposure to higher lead levels.

City of Orillia
50 Andrew Street South
Orillia, Ontario, L3V 7T5
Phone: 705-325-1311
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