September 18, 2015 - The City of Thunder Bay will begin a Corrosion Control Pilot Study in the Hodder Pressure Zone starting in December 2015.

The study will measure the effectiveness of reducing lead levels at the tap by adjusting the water chemistry of the treated water with the addition of a PH buffering agent. Approximately 8,000 City homes are estimated to have lead service pipes.

"The addition of sodium hydroxide will be controlled to one pressure zone and will be monitored closely through an expanded water quality monitoring program," said Erin Marcella-Fui, Planning & Research Analyst. "Water quality is monitored by certified operators and on-line instrumentation every minute of every day."

"Lead in drinking water can originate from older internal pipes and lead service lines, or from the solder used to connect the pipes or fixtures. Both could contain high levels of lead. "

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.

An information session was held on Sept. 17 at the Current River Recreation Centre. The Hodder Pressure Zone is located in the Current River area.

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

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Contact: Erin Marcella-Fui, Planning & Research Analyst - Infrastructure & Operations, 684-3505