Homeowners in Brandon, Manitoba can now check if lead is seeping into their drinking water, thanks to a free testing program launched by the city this month. The 2026 Residential Water Sampling Program sends a kit at no charge to qualifying residents in the lead-service catchment area who sign up by emailing [email protected], and results go directly to the resident.
According to City of Brandon, the program targets the roughly 5,200 properties built before 1950 which may still have lead service lines. While water leaving the treatment plant meets provincial standards, it can pick up lead as it travels through aging pipes.
In 2024, 28 per cent of samples from the lead-service area exceeded the national safety guideline of 5 parts per billion, the level set by Health Canada in 2019. Children, infants, and pregnant persons are most vulnerable to lead, which has been linked to lasting developmental harm.
Residents who find high lead levels, or who have confirmed lead service lines, can tap into a one-time rebate of up to $250 for a certified water filter. The city is also planning to add a corrosion-fighting treatment, orthophosphate, to the water supply as a longer-term fix.
Kits are available while supplies last, and residents can join a sign-up list for 2027. For details, email [email protected] or visit the city’s website.
