The RM of Dauphin's Lead Monitoring Program for 2026 is now open, with the municipality accepting applications from homes to receive testing for lead, free of charge.
Through the program 10 homes connected to the RM of Dauphin's water system will receive testing. RM of Dauphin Water Distribution Manager Tyson Hulley said the program is designed to give certain, high-risk homes more priority in selection.
"Selection generally just on first-come first-serve basis, priority is gonna be given to homes built before 1980, home-based daycares," said Hulley.
Even though the RM of Dauphin's water chemistry meets all Canadian Drinking Water guidelines, it's never a bad idea to get your water tested for lead, especially if you haven't in a while. Hulley said in older homes that might have lead still in their plumbing, the longer it sits, the worse any problems get.
"Levels of lead in tap water increase with the amount of time that the water sits in contact with the materials that contain lead, so could be just as simple as one little fitting, lead levels are generally highest when water has not been used for several hours as well, such as overnight," said Hulley.
If your home is connected to the RM of Dauphin's water system, they encourage you to apply for the program, especially if you home was built before 1980, if you run a home-based daycare, or if your home has any pregnant individuals, or children under six.
