If your Ottawa home was built before the mid-1950s, there's a good chance you have lead water pipes. Learn about the risks, check if your home is affected, and we'll connect you with a trusted, City-approved contractor.
Data from the City of Ottawa
Lead is a toxic metal that dissolves into your drinking water as it passes through old lead pipes. There is no safe level of lead exposure.
Lead exposure in children can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, reduced IQ, behavioral issues, and hearing problems. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect a child's ability to pay attention and perform in school.
Lead crosses the placenta and can affect the developing baby. Pregnant women exposed to lead face increased risks of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. Lead stored in bones can be released during pregnancy.
In adults, lead exposure can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney damage, and reproductive problems. Long-term exposure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and can impair cognitive function over time.
Did you know? You can't see, taste, or smell lead in your water. The only way to know if your water contains lead is to have it tested. The City of Ottawa offers free water quality testing — just call 3-1-1 to schedule.
Homes built before the mid-1950s in Ottawa are most likely to have lead water service pipes. Here's how to find out.
The City of Ottawa provides a free service to help you determine if your home has lead pipes. Here's what to do:
Request a free water quality test from the City of Ottawa. They'll test your tap water for lead at no charge.
Visit ottawa.ca's Lead Pipe Replacement Program page to search your address and see if your home is in an affected area.
Find where your water pipe enters your home (usually in the basement). If the pipe is a dull grey colour and a magnet does not stick to it, it's likely lead. Lead pipes also scratch easily with a coin, revealing shiny silver metal underneath.
Or contact us directly — we'll help you determine if your home has lead pipes at no cost.
From discovery to completion, here's what to expect when you work with a City-approved contractor.
An approved contractor will inspect your property and confirm whether you have lead water service pipes. They can also help arrange the City's free water test.
You'll receive a detailed, no-obligation quote for replacing your private-side lead water service pipe with new copper piping.
An approved contractor coordinates directly with the City to replace both sides at the same time — the City pays for their portion.
Your entire lead water service is replaced with copper, from the city main right into your home. Enjoy safe, lead-free drinking water.
Not all contractors are created equal. Working with a City-approved contractor gives you benefits that other plumbers and contractors simply can't offer.
An approved contractor replaces both the private side (yours) and the city side in a single project. No separate crews, no scheduling headaches.
When you hire an approved contractor, the City of Ottawa covers the cost of replacing the lead pipe on their property. That's real savings for you.
Your entire water service line gets replaced with copper — from the city main right to the inside of your home. No partial fixes.
The City offers loans added to your property taxes: up to $5,000 over 5 years, or over $5,000 spread across 10 years. An approved contractor can help you access rebates too.
Private side only — lead remains on city side
Both sides replaced — city pays their portion
The City of Ottawa offers financial support and coordination to help homeowners replace lead water service pipes.
Homeowners with lead water pipes connecting to non-lead city pipes may be eligible for a rebate of up to $1,000, covering approximately 20% of the typical replacement cost.
The City offers loans added to your property tax bill: loans up to $5,000 are spread over 5 years, and loans over $5,000 are spread over 10 years, making replacement affordable.
Not sure if you have lead? The City of Ottawa will test your tap water for lead at no charge. Simply call 3-1-1 to schedule your free water quality test.
Homeowners with confirmed lead levels exceeding Health Canada guidelines, or those awaiting pipe replacement, can receive a year's supply of free water filters from the City.
Tell us about your property and we'll connect you with a vetted, City-approved contractor who can provide a free quote and guide you through the entire process.
Everything you need to know about lead pipes and the replacement process.