Capital Water Service Replacement Program
The Water Service Replacement Program (WSRP) sees the City-owned portion of lead pipes that supply water to residential homes being replaced in coordination with other planned construction projects. Other planed construction projects can include road reconstruction, watermain reconstruction, watermain structural lining and sewer reconstruction. As part of this program, each year the City will replace 1,500- 2,000 of the City-owned portion of lead pipes that deliver water to homes.
Homeowners are responsible for the private portion of the water pipe (i.e., the portion running from the property line to the water meter or into the home). The City strongly encourages homeowners with lead pipes that deliver water to replace their portion in order to reduce health effects from exposure to lead in drinking water.
Replacing a water pipe
The pipe delivering water to each residence in the City can be classified into two portions: the section of the pipe running from the watermain to the property line is owned and maintained by the City; the section of the pipe running from the property line into the house is the responsibility of the homeowner.
Illustration courtesy of the City of London
In homes built prior to the mid-1950s, pipe may have been constructed from lead. Replacing the City portion of the pipe alone cannot fully address concerns about lead in the drinking water. The City of Toronto encourages homeowners to replace the private side of lead pipe before or after the City-owned portion is being replaced, or at the same time if the same City contractor is being hired by homeowners. Replacing the entire water pipe is the best way to ensure your drinking water does not come into contact with lead.
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