Steinbach residents are being reassured that there is no problem with lead levels in their drinking water. Reports came out in the national news in recent days about cities including Winnipeg and Brandon where lead levels, in some places, are above what is considered acceptable according to Canadian standards.

Mike Heppner, Manager of Waterworks for Steinbach says lead levels in the city's water are well below the national standard. He adds the reason is straight forward; Steinbach has never used lead pipes in its distribution system.

"Steinbach started its distribution supply in the mid to late 1950's. Already at that time, the only service lines that were allowed, or were in specification allowances, were

Test results in Steinbach's 2018 water quality report.copper. So right from the get-go, we haven't had lead service lines installed to any service points within the city."

Furthermore, Heppner adds that the aquifer Steinbach uses for its source of water has very minimal trace amounts of lead in it which require no treatment.

"The water coming from the aquifer has minimal to very little traces of lead in it. It's very good quality, we don't have to deal with anything that's in the existing supply."

Heppner says the city tests annually for lead levels in its drinking water.