Analysis of Lead Monitoring Data in Drinking Water

Historical lead in tap water data from the City of London and the City of Ottawa were examined for trends and correlations over time. Factors such as the sampling protocol, temperature, and pH were analyzed to determine their specific impacts on lead. Linear and logistic regression models were also developed to predict lead concentrations in tap water based on different water quality parameters. Finally, a physical mass transfer and flow model (zonal model) was validated with the lead data from the two municipalities. Results indicate the potential use of the regression and zonal models to predict a range of lead concentrations for a number of homes in a Canadian city based on the field data. These methods may allow municipalities to determine the impact of a corrosion control strategy such as a pH increase without having to sample for lead in people's homes.MAS