Abstract
ObjectivesThe First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (FNFNES), a community-based participatory research project, measured the levels of metals of health concern and the levels of metals that have operational guidance (OG) and aesthetic objectives (AO) in drinking water of First Nations (FN) south of the 60th parallel.MethodsBoth stagnant (first draw) and flushed tap water samples were collected from participating households in 91 FN representing 11 ecozones. The concentrations of metals were quantified and compared to Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ).ResultsIn total, 1516 FN households participated in this study component. Exceedances of the 2019 GCDWQ for the health-based maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) were found for five metals: lead 8.4% of households (first draw), manganese 4.0%, uranium 1.6%, aluminum 1.3%, and copper 0.2% (flushed). Flushing taps resulted in a decrease to 0.7% of households exceeding the lead MAC. Exceedances of the current OG for aluminum were found in 14.2% and the exceedances of the proposed OG were found in 18.1% of households (flushed). Exceedances of the AO (flushed) were as follows: manganese 12.8%, sodium 5.1%, iron 3.5%, and copper 0.4%. Results of the study were compared to provincial surveys where the data were available. Taste and colour were reported to be the main reasons for limiting the use of tap water.ConclusionOverall, the quality of drinking water with respect to trace metals of human health concern is satisfactory. However, elevated lead levels were found in some FN communities. Until appropriate action can take place, it was recommended to flush the water before use to reduce the lead levels.
Highlights
The quality of drinking water is regulated by Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ) (Health Canada 2019b)
The metal guidelines are established based on current scientific knowledge about the effects of metals on human health (e.g., maximum acceptable concentration (MAC)); physical parameters that may affect consumer acceptance of drinking water, otherwise known as aesthetic objective (AO); and operational guideline values (OG) established for parameters that may affect treatment processes or impair drinking water distribution system (Health Canada 2019b)
This study provides, for the first time in a peer-reviewed manuscript, a snapshot of the levels of metals typically found in drinking waters in First Nations across the country
Summary
The quality of drinking water is regulated by Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ) (Health Canada 2019b). For example lead, copper, and antimony, can release into drinking water from the plumbing pipes in the water distribution systems (Health Canada 2009; Chowdhury et al 2016). Some of these elements, including zinc, copper, iron, and manganese, are essential nutrients that are required in small amounts to maintain the metabolism of the human body (Mehri 2020; Zoroddu et al 2019). Other elements, such as mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and lead, have no known biological functions and are toxic even at low concentrations (Tchounwou et al 2012)
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