October 4, 2017 - The City of Thunder Bay is hosting a Public Information Session on its Corrosion Control Plan tonight from 4 - 7 pm at the Slovak Legion.

The City is moving ahead with the next phase of its Corrosion Control Plan to add sodium hydroxide to its water supply to reduce the amount of lead found in tap water.

"Beginning in early 2018, the pH of the City's drinking water will be increased to reduce lead levels at the tap by adding small amounts of sodium hydroxide to the water at the Bare Point Water Treatment Plant," said Erin Marcella-Fui, Operations Supervisor - Bare Point Water Treatment Plant.
"Sodium hydroxide is a safe and approved water treatment chemical."
 
Approximately 7,500 - 8,000 homes in Thunder Bay still have older lead service pipes connecting them to the City's water mains. When water sits in these pipes, it can accumulate lead and can reach levels above the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change guideline of 0.01 milligrams per litre.

Homes built prior to the mid-1950s are more likely to have lead pipes and service lines. Homes built between the mid-1950s and 1989 most likely would not have lead pipes or service lines, but lead could be present in some fixtures or solder.

The City ran a Pilot Study in the Current River area from January 2015 - January 2017, and the study confirmed that corrosion control through chemical addition is a safe and effective method to
reduce lead levels at the tap.

For those who are unable to attend this evening's Session, a second Public Information Session will take place on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 6 - 8 pm, at the Oliver Road Recreation Centre.

To view the information boards displayed at the public session, and for detailed information on lead in your drinking water, visit: thunderbay.ca/water

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Contact: Erin Marcella-Fui, Operations Supervisor - Bare Point Water Treatment Plant, 684-3505