ST. JACOBS/ELMIRA WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

This report is solely in regards to the local distribution system focusing on bacterial issues etc. not so much on industrial/agricultural chemicals as does the Region of Waterloo Annual Reports. Unlike the City of Waterloo, Woolwich Township does not list the material used in water pipes in St. Jacobs and Elmira. These would unfortunately include both lead and asbestos pipes. Lead sampling occurs but unfortunately asbestos does not and it should. Asbestos fibres in drinking water are regulated in the U.S. and other countries but are not in Canada, likely for political reasons such as continued exports of asbestos overseas.

Oddly a reading of 10.1 parts per billion for lead in the plumbing system is not indicated as an exceedance although the criteria is 10.0 . Yes it's close but still an odd interpretation of the numbers.

The maximum number of coliform bacteria results was 350 in 2019 which comparatively exceeds the other three municipal systems I have examined so far this spring namely Waterloo, Maryhill and West Montrose at 65, 19 and 3 respectively. There were also four Adverse Water Quality Incidents involving Total Coliform in which flushing of watermains was undertaken followed by resampling.

Both Haloacetic Acids (HAA) and Trihalomethanes (THM) are well below the criteria for them.

Also there was zero E.Coli found in the system .

At a later date I will likely post the Region of Waterloo's Annual Report for Woolwich Township and its various water systems.