| #Q001 | operational | health | recommended | Maintain ALARA Levels | drinking water | Every effort should be made to maintain lead levels in drinking water as low as reasonably achievable (or ALARA). | Applies to all drinking water systems. | high |
| #Q002 | operational | health | recommended | Alternate Water Source for Infants | drinking water | Since formula reconstituted with tap water can represent a major source of exposure to lead in infants, alternate sources should be used if the tap water contains lead. | When tap water contains lead and is used to reconstitute infant formula. | high |
| #Q003 | operational | health | mandatory | Exposure Reduction Strategies Focus | drinking water | strategies to reduce exposure to lead will need to focus on controlling corrosion within the distribution and plumbing systems and on removing lead-containing components, such as lead service lines, from these systems. | When implementing strategies to reduce lead exposure. | high |
| #Q004 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Lead Monitoring Priority Areas | drinking water | Lead monitoring should focus on areas known or likely to have lead service lines or that have older buildings and should include zones supplied by potentially corrosive water (e.g., dead ends in a chloraminated system) and consecutive systems (i.e., public water systems whose drinking water supply is from another public water system). | When determining areas for lead monitoring. | high |
| #Q005 | corrective_action | health | recommended | MAC Exceedance Corrective Actions | drinking water | An exceedance of the MAC should be investigated and followed by the appropriate corrective actions. These actions include, but are not limited to, resampling, public education, removal of lead service lines and corrosion control measures. | Upon exceedance of the MAC for lead. | high |
| #Q006 | corrective_action | operational | recommended | MAC Exceedance Cause Assessment | drinking water | These actions should be based on an assessment of the cause of the exceedance using appropriate protocols, such as those found in the Health Canada publication Guidance on Controlling Corrosion in Drinking Water Distribution Systems. | When executing corrective actions following a MAC exceedance. | high |
| #Q007 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Discolored Water Event Response | drinking water | Therefore, discolored water events should not be considered only as an aesthetic issue, but should trigger sampling for metals and possibly distribution system maintenance. | During red water or discoloration events. | high |
| #Q008 | monitoring | reporting | recommended | Compliance Monitoring Location Priority | drinking water | Compliance monitoring should be conducted at the consumer's tap, with priority given to identifying homes with lead service lines, as these are likely to have the highest lead concentrations. | During regulatory compliance monitoring. | high |
| #Q009 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Corrosivity Characterization Protocol Use | drinking water | If the objective is to characterize whether distributed water is corrosive to the materials found in the distribution system and household plumbing, the Guidance on Controlling Corrosion in Drinking Water Distribution Systems should be used. | When the objective is characterizing distributed water corrosivity. | high |
| #Q010 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Initial Distribution System Monitoring | drinking water | In order to identify zones with lead issues, sampling protocols should initially capture the entire distribution system. | During initial determination of zones with lead issues. | high |
| #Q011 | monitoring | health | recommended | School and Daycare Prioritization | drinking water | Schools and daycare facilities should also be prioritized for monitoring to ensure that the most sensitive population (i.e., young children) is captured. | When designing the sampling pool. | high |
| #Q012 | monitoring | health | recommended | Building Sampling Frequency | drinking water | Sampling should be conducted at least once per year, with the number of sites to be monitored determined based on the size of the drinking water system and the type of building... | For schools, daycare facilities, and larger buildings or dwellings. | high |
| #Q013 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Seasonal Sampling Variation | drinking water | Sampling programs should be conducted throughout the year to take into account seasonal effects on lead variability. | When executing residential sampling programs. | high |
| #Q014 | monitoring | health | recommended | Residential Sampling Location | drinking water | Sampling should be conducted at the cold water tap in the kitchen or other appropriate location where water is used for drinking or food preparation. | During residential monitoring for lead. | high |
| #Q015 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Aerator Removal Prohibition during Sampling | drinking water | Regardless of the protocol used, all samples should be collected in wide-mouth sample bottles, and without removing the aerator. | During all sample collection protocols. | high |
| #Q016 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Sample Acidification and Preservation Holding Time | drinking water | The samples need to be acidified using a 2% nitric acid solution (by volume) and held for a minimum of 16 hours after preservation with nitric acid before analysis. | Post-sample collection prior to analysis. | high |
| #Q017 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Sample Mixing Protocol | drinking water | Each sample should be thoroughly mixed prior to analysis using an appropriate method | Prior to taking an aliquot for analysis. | high |
| #Q018 | monitoring | health | recommended | Residential Tap Monitoring Frequency | drinking water | It is recommended that total lead be monitored, at least once per year, at the tap of a minimum of 20 randomly selected residences in each water supply zone. | For each water supply zone. | high |
| #Q019 | monitoring | operational | recommended | RDT Sampling Protocol Procedure | drinking water | RDT sampling: A 1 L sample should be collected randomly during the day from a drinking water tap in each of the residences. Samples should be collected without prior flushing; no stagnation period is prescribed, to better reflect consumer use. | When executing Random Daytime (RDT) sampling in residences. | high |
| #Q020 | monitoring | operational | recommended | 30MS Sampling Protocol Procedure | drinking water | 30MS sampling: The tap should be flushed for 5 minutes, allowed to stand for a 30-minute stagnation period, during which time no water should be drawn from any outlet within the residence (including flushing of toilets). Two 1 L samples should then be collected at a medium to high flow rate (greater than 5 L/minute). | When executing 30 minute stagnation (30MS) sampling in residences. | high |
| #Q021 | monitoring | health | recommended | School and Daycare Monitor Frequency | drinking water | In schools and daycares, it is recommended that total lead be monitored, at least once per year, at each of the drinking water fountains or cold water taps where water is used for drinking or food preparation. | For schools and daycares. | high |
| #Q022 | monitoring | health | recommended | School and Daycare Sampling Seasonality | drinking water | Sampling should be conducted between the months of June and October, but when the buildings are fully occupied and functional, to capture typical exposure levels – recommended to be in either June or October for schools. | When sampling schools and daycares. | high |
| #Q023 | monitoring | health | recommended | Multi-Dwelling Building Monitor Priority | drinking water | When sampling multi-dwelling buildings, priority should be given to sites suspected or known to have full or partial lead service lines. | When selecting sites in multi-dwelling buildings. | high |
| #Q024 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Multi-Dwelling RDT Application | drinking water | A RDT sampling protocol is recommended for these sites to capture typical exposures, including potential exposure to particulate lead. | When monitoring large or multi-dwelling buildings. | high |
| #Q025 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Multi-Dwelling RDT Protocol Procedure | drinking water | RDT sampling should be conducted by collecting a sample at drinking water fountains or at cold water taps where water is used for drinking or food preparation, without a stagnation period and without prior flushing. Two 125 mL samples should be collected, preferably in wide-mouth sample bottles, at a medium to high flow rate without removing the aerator. | When executing Random Daytime (RDT) sampling in multi-dwelling or large buildings. | high |
| #Q026 | administrative | health | mandatory | School and Daycare Susceptibility Consideration | drinking water | The sampling plan for schools and child care centres/facilities must consider that many occupants in these buildings are the most susceptible to the adverse health effects from lead exposure. | When designing the sampling plan for schools and childcare centers. | high |
| #Q027 | monitoring | health | recommended | School and Daycare Prioritization Strategy | drinking water | Consequently, sampling plans for these facilities should prioritize every drinking water fountain and cold water outlet used for drinking or food preparation over infrequently used outlets. | For school and daycare sampling plans. | high |
| #Q028 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Sampling Flow Rates for Particulate Lead Capture | drinking water | sampling should be conducted at medium to high flow rates (> 5 L/minute) to capture particulate lead release for the sampling protocol. | When sampling to capture potential particulate lead. | high |
| #Q029 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Sample Acid Concentration Requirement | drinking water | Since the use of 0.15% nitric acid for preservation does not adequately capture particulate lead, it is recommended that 2% nitric acid by volume be used for the preservation step. | During sample preparation and preservation. | high |
| #Q030 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Hot Acid Digestion Preservation Protocol | drinking water | For this reason, if hot acid digestion is to be conducted, preservation with 2% nitric acid by volume (after the 16 hour holding time) and thorough sample mixing should be done prior to taking an aliquot for analysis. | If hot acid digestion is to be conducted. | high |
| #Q031 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Homeowner Sample Handling Prohibition | drinking water | It is important to note that the addition of 2% nitric acid should be undertaken by qualified personnel and using appropriate precautions. To this end, if sampling is conducted by homeowners, the sample should only be acidified and held upon arrival at the laboratory. | If sampling is conducted by homeowners. | high |
| #Q032 | administrative | health | recommended | Full LSL Replacement Encouragement | drinking water | Generally, utilities should encourage consumers to replace their portion of the lead service line when the utility is undertaking to replace the public portion. | During public lead service line replacement. | high |
| #Q033 | corrective_action | health | recommended | Post-Replacement Flushing and Cleaning Action | drinking water | Mitigation measures that include partial or full replacement of the lead service line should ensure that appropriate flushing is conducted after the replacement and that debris is subsequently cleaned from the screens or aerators of outlets | After partial or full replacement of the lead service line. | high |
| #Q034 | corrective_action | health | recommended | Additional Mitigation Measure Implementation | drinking water | Extensive initial flushing by the consumer should be encouraged and other mitigation measures, such as point-of-use filtration, public education and/or weekly or biweekly sampling until lead levels stabilize, should be considered by the utility. | Post-replacement of lead service lines. | high |
| #Q035 | monitoring | health | recommended | Post-Replacement Water Quality Monitoring | drinking water | The water quality at the consumer's tap should be monitored closely following both full and partial lead service line replacement for several months after replacement. | Following full or partial lead service line replacement. | high |
| #Q036 | administrative | health | recommended | Aerator Maintenance Communication | drinking water | The importance of regularly cleaning outlet aerators should be communicated to consumers to ensure that any lead-containing particles are removed as part of ongoing maintenance | Ongoing consumer communications. | high |
| #Q037 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Routine Sampling Timing Framework | drinking water | routine sampling should be conducted during the same period every year from June to October, especially for monitoring of homes with lead service lines, as levels of lead are expected to be highest in those months | For homes with lead service lines. | high |
| #Q038 | corrective_action | health | recommended | Red Water Event Trigger Actions | drinking water | As discoloration (red water) episodes can be accompanied by the release of accumulated contaminants, including lead, they should trigger maintenance actions, such as systematic unidirectional flushing of the distribution system, to ensure that all particles are flushed out before the water reaches the consumer | During discoloration (red water) episodes. | high |
| #Q039 | treatment | operational | mandatory | RO Product Water pH Adjustment | drinking water | Therefore, the product water pH must be adjusted to avoid corrosion issues in the distribution system such as the leaching of lead and copper | When using Reverse Osmosis (RO) treatment systems. | high |
| #Q040 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Residential Treatment Pre-Installation Testing | drinking water | Before a treatment device is installed, consumers should have the water tested to determine general water chemistry and to verify the concentration of lead. | Prior to residential treatment device installation. | high |
| #Q041 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Residential Treatment Efficacy Testing | drinking water | Periodic testing by an accredited laboratory should be conducted on both the water entering the treatment device and the finished water to verify that the treatment device is effective. | For installed residential treatment devices. | high |
| #Q042 | operational | health | recommended | Treatment Device Maintenance Protocol | drinking water | Consumers should verify the expected longevity of the adsorption media in their treatment device as per the manufacturer's recommendations and service the device when required. | For residential treatment devices using adsorption technology. | high |
| #Q043 | treatment | health | recommended | Use of Certified Treatment Devices | drinking water | Health Canada does not recommend specific brands of drinking water treatment devices, but it strongly recommends that consumers use devices that have been certified by an accredited certification body as meeting the appropriate NSF/ANSI drinking water treatment unit standard(s). | When selecting residential drinking water treatment devices. | high |
| #Q044 | corrective_action | health | recommended | Private Well Component Validation | drinking water | As such, it is important for private well owners to test for lead and to ensure that replacement parts and components meet the low-lead requirements. | For private well owners. | high |
| #Q045 | monitoring | operational | guidance | Jurisdiction Monitoring Reduction | drinking water | Jurisdictions may choose to reduce monitoring if they have established that the lead issues have been identified and addressed. | For jurisdictions that have identified and addressed lead issues in schools or daycares. | high |
| #Q046 | monitoring | health | recommended | Multi-Dwelling Sampling Scope | drinking water | In multi-dwelling (i.e., more than six residences) buildings or large buildings, it is recommended that total lead be monitored in a manner such that each of the drinking water fountains and a proportion of cold water taps where water is used for drinking or food preparation is sampled within a specified period. | When monitoring lead in buildings with more than six residences or large buildings. | high |
| #Q047 | operational | operational | guidance | Anion Exchange pH Adjustment | drinking water | Raising the pH of the treated water may be required at the beginning of a run (100–400 BVs) to avoid corrosion | In the anion exchange process during the initial 100–400 bed volumes of a run. | high |
| #Q048 | operational | health | mandatory | Residential Filter Replacement | drinking water | these systems require ongoing maintenance and filters must regularly be replaced, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. | For users of private residential drinking water treatment devices. | high |
| #Q049 | monitoring | operational | guideline | Averaging 30MS Sample Results | drinking water | The lead concentration is determined by averaging the results from the two samples. | When executing the 30MS sampling protocol in residential dwellings. | high |
| #Q050 | administrative | operational | guidance | Water Supply Zone Population Limit | drinking water | Monitoring programs are conducted within defined water supply zones, which can vary in size but generally should not exceed 50,000 residents each. | When defining water supply zones for RDT sampling. | high |
| #Q051 | monitoring | operational | guideline | Averaging School and Large Building Sample Results | drinking water | The lead concentration is determined by averaging the results from the two samples. | When executing the RDT sampling protocol in schools, multi-dwelling residences, and large buildings. | high |
| #Q052 | operational | operational | guideline | Laboratory Handling - Volume Transfer Best Practice | drinking water | Best practices leading to a better estimation of total lead include ensuring that no aliquot or volume transfers occur prior to preservation or analysis | During laboratory sample preparation for lead analysis. | high |
| #Q053 | operational | operational | guideline | Laboratory Handling - Aliquot Source Best Practice | drinking water | taking the aliquot directly from the original sample bottle | When performing hot acid digestion or analytical sampling for lead. | high |
| #Q054 | administrative | operational | guideline | Analytical Laboratory Accreditation | drinking water | It is important that analyses are undertaken by an accredited laboratory to ensure accurate results and appropriate quality assurance and quality control. | When performing analytical measurements for lead compliance. | high |
| #Q055 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Certification Body Accreditation | drinking water | Certification organizations provide assurance that a product conforms to applicable standards and must be accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). | Applies to organizations certifying drinking water devices and materials. | high |
| #Q056 | administrative | operational | recommended | Jurisdictional Authority Consultation | drinking water | Specific guidance related to the implementation of drinking water guidelines should be obtained from the appropriate drinking water authority in the affected jurisdiction. | When implementing drinking water guidelines. | high |
| #Q057 | monitoring | operational | guidance | Zone Characterization Focus | drinking water | Utilities that have already identified zones/areas of concern can focus on further characterization of these zones. | For utilities that have already identified lead issue zones. | high |
| #Q058 | monitoring | health | recommended | Other Building Sampling Target | drinking water | In other building types, sampling plans should also target drinking water fountains and cold water outlets used for drinking or food preparation, but with the number of sites sampled based on the size and population of the building. | For building types other than schools or childcare centers. | high |
| #Q059 | operational | operational | recommended | Acid Handling Precautions | other | the addition of 2% nitric acid should be undertaken by qualified personnel and using appropriate precautions. | During sample acidification with 2% nitric acid. | high |
| #Q060 | treatment | operational | guidance | Treatment Specialist Consultation | drinking water | They may also wish to consult a qualified treatment specialist to help in selecting the system best suited for their needs and water quality. | When selecting a residential water treatment system. | high |
| #Q061 | prohibition | health | mandatory | Lead Solder Prohibition | drinking water | The use of solder containing lead in new plumbing and in repairs to plumbing for drinking water supplies has been prohibited under the code since 1990 | New plumbing and repairs to plumbing for drinking water supplies. | high |
| #Q062 | design | health | mandatory | Plumbing Fitting Lead Limit | drinking water | This standard requires that fittings meet the low lead requirement of 0.25% lead as a weighted average. | Applies to fittings complying with ASME 112.18.1 / CSA B125.1 standard. | high |
| #Q063 | design | health | mandatory | Kettle Lead Release Limit | drinking water | The Hazardous Products (Kettles) Regulations, which fall under the CCPSA, limit the amount of lead that may be released when water is boiled, in kettles or similar products, to 0.010 mg/L | When water is boiled in kettles or similar products. | high |
| #Q064 | design | health | mandatory | Reverse Osmosis POU Restriction | drinking water | RO systems certified to this standard are intended for POU installation only. | For systems certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58. | high |
| #Q065 | design | health | mandatory | Distillation POU Restriction | drinking water | Distillation systems that would be certified to this standard are also intended for POU installation | For systems certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 62. | high |
| #Q066 | design | health | mandatory | Certified Material Leaching Limit | drinking water | When materials are certified to the standard, the total concentration of lead from all materials must not exceed the total allowable concentration of 5 µg/L | Applies to materials certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 61. | high |