The City of Charlottetown is planning a campaign to warn residents in older neighbourhoods their houses could be connected to the water system by lead pipes.

The plan comes after one Charlottetown family found lead levels 80 times the acceptable limit in their drinking water.

Kelly Murphy's family had lead levels 80 times the acceptable limit in their drinking water.
(CBC)

The test results have sparked fear, Kelly Murphy told CBC News on Monday. "Fear for my son's health — he's almost two — and for myself — I'm eight months pregnant — and for my husband, who regularly drinks water in the morning, when the levels are at their highest."

Her husband, Peter Murphy, said the city assumed they had not been drinking the first water out of the taps in the morning. The concentration of lead is highest in that water because it has been sitting in the lead pipes overnight.

"From the start they said it wasn't a problem," he said. "Without interviewing me or seeing what our water behaviour was they just assumed we wouldn't drink that water, but the first thing I do in the morning is make my coffee with that water. So it's irresponsible, the responses we've been getting."

High concentrations of lead in the water could result in lead poisoning, which in mild cases causes learning and concentration difficulties and in high levels can trigger kidney, blood and brain problems.

Houses built before 1950 at risk

Houses built before 1950 are often connected to the water supply by lead pipes. Part of the pipes is the homeowner's responsibility and the Murphys have had that section replaced. The other part is the municipality's, and the city said it will replace its share of the connection.

The Murphys had their part of the water connection replaced.
(CBC)

"In a situation like this, where the homeowner has responded by replacing their service, we also plan to go in and replace our service," said Craig Walker, water and sewer manager for the city.

"But it's not to say that's also the answer. It's not to say that's going to solve the problem of lead showing up in their water because it could be sourced from within the house as well."

Montreal to spend $300 million

Last month, officials in Montreal warned children and pregnant women in one neighbourhood not to drink the water. Lead levels there were found to be just slightly above the acceptable rate and the city is spending almost $300 million to replace lead pipes.

Starting next month, Charlottetown will be sending out information on lead in April's utility bill. But the city says it simply can't afford to replace all lead pipes.

It recommends that if people have concerns, they should take other precautions, such as buying a water filter or running the water for a few minutes first thing in the morning before they drink it.