Montreal's plan to replace lead pipes, explained

Montreal is in the process ofreplacing lead water pipes still in use acrossthe city. For some residents, a recent awareness campaign raised more questions than it answered.

• 'Action is required in those homes': Montreal's plan for removing lead pipes far behind schedule

Here's what you need to know about the city's programto replace the pipes, the safety of your drinking water and whether you're affected.

What is the city doing?

In 2006, Montreal establisheda 20-year plan toreplace lead pipes on its territory. Ten years later, pipes have been replaced at8,000 of the 69,000 dwellings affected.

The city's executive committee recentlyapproved additional financing that will provide funding for 5,000 replacements a year.

• Montreal landlords worried about recovering cost of replacing lead pipes

This latest plan will prioritize post-war homes built in the 1940s and 1950s, which are considered most atrisk of contamination.

The city expects to spend more than $500 million on the work,more than double theoriginal estimate of $240 million.

City spokesmanPhilippe Sabourinattributedthe ballooning cost to the inaccuracy of theoriginalestimates.

Why did the city send out awareness pamphlets?

The city recentlyissuednoticestoowners and residentsof buildings constructed prior to 1970, informing them thatpipescould be made of lead.

The notice advised residents their pipesshould be changed to avoid any potential negative health effects, particularly for pregnant women and children under the age ofsix.

The pamphlets alsooffered advice on water-qualitytestingandon how to limitthe harm caused by the toxic metal.

What boroughs are most affected?

VilleraySaint-MichelParc-ExtensionandRosemontLaPetite-Patriehave the highest number ofresidences that still have lead pipe connections,among the 69,000 across Montreal.

Hereare the top 10boroughs affected:

• VilleraySaint-MichelParc-Extension: 17,775.
• RosemontLaPetite-Patrie:17,614.
• Ahuntsic-Cartierville:16,277.
• Cte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grce: 16,169.
• MercierHochelaga-Maisonneuve: 15,966.
• LePlateau-Mont-Royal:14,236.
• Le Sud-Ouest:8,485.
• Ville-Marie: 6,175.
• Verdun: 4,671.
• Outremont:3,690.

What canyou do?

In the information pamphlets, the city says that residents will be informed in advance of work being done to change thepublic portion of their plumbing the lead piping to the edge of a building's property line.

• Should you be worried about lead pipes in your home?

It recommends residents update the private section, from the property line into their home.

Residents who want to test their water will have to pay out of their own pocket.

There are several labs in the Montreal area that offer the service, at a cost ofabout $200.

What are the risks involved?

Montreal public health official Monique Beausoleil says therisks are limited to pregnant women and children under six years of age.

Even then, the risks are not significant, she said.

"It's not an emergency. It's not the kind of exposure that puts children at risk," she said.

No case of lead poisoning from tap water has ever been recorded in Montreal, Beausoleil added.

If you have lead pipes and are pregnant or have children under six years old, public health recommendsusing a water filter that's certifiedNSF/ANSI53.