Test results & Corrective Actions
I've submitted my samples, now what?
O. Reg. 243/07 states that lead testing results should not exceed 10 micrograms per Litre.
If any of your fixtures exceed that level, the follow steps will be taken (as perO. Reg. 243/07 policy found here) :
- If the test results are above the standard for lead or any other drinking water quality chemical standard set out in Ontario Regulation 169/03 (Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards), the laboratory must provide a written report on the exceedance within 24 hours of the laboratory's internal approval of the test result by personal delivery, fax or e-mail to:
- the operator of the school, private school or child care centre;
- the ministry's Spills Action Centre; and,
- the local Medical Officer of Health.
- This written report will be sent in a form called a Notice of Lead Exceedance Test Results (LEN), which is completed in part by the licensed laboratory and in part by the operator of the facility.
- The operator of a facility who receives a LEN form from the laboratory is required to complete Section D-1 of the form as directed and to give a copy of it by personal delivery, fax or e-mail within 24 hours to:
- the local Medical Officer of Health;
- the ministry's Spills Action Centre;
- the Ministry of Education, if a school or child care centre, and
- every other co-located facility relying on the same set of samples.
- The operator must also take immediate corrective actions until the issue is resolved in accordance with the requirements of O. Reg. 243/07 and/or as directed by the local Medical Officer of Health. Once corrective actions are taken and the issue is resolved, the operator of the facility is required to submit a completed Section D-2: Issue Resolution on the LEN form within seven days after the resolution to:
- the local Medical Officer of Health;
- the ministry's Spills Action Centre;
- Ministry of Education, if a school or child care centre; and
- every other co-located facility relying on the same set of samples.
If you have an exceedance of the drinking water quality standard for lead, you can expect to be contacted by a Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Water Inspector. This inspector will review whether you have met your regulatory obligation for corrective actions under O. Reg. 243/07 including any actions directed by the local Medical Officer of Health if applicable.
