BRANDON, Man. - A provincial government study shows that about 3,600 homes in Brandon, Man., have high levels of lead in their water system.
The study suggests homes built before 1950 are more likely to have an increase in the metal due to a lead-pipe service connection to the house.
The City of Brandon says in some homes, lead levels are above current national drinking water guidelines, but stresses that the city's drinking water supply continues to be safe.
Patrick Pulak, the city's deputy director of water and engineering services, says people concerned about the water can run their taps for a minute or two before drinking it, or install a tap filter to remove lead.
The city is working with a Winnipeg laboratory to provide a tap-water testing service that ranges in cost from $20 to $45 dollars for homeowners.
Last year's provincial pilot project study looked at lead levels in tap water in select homes and buildings in Brandon, Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie and Steinbach. (CKLQ, The Canadian Press)
