This webinar will be of interest to water professionals and other interested persons who are concerned about lead exposure from drinking water, the significant challenges in addressing this problem, and what we can learn from the mistakes and successes in tackling the issue in the U.S.

Overview:

Join our webinar for an overview of the lead in water issues that have been addressed in the U.S. from a leading expert and advocate who has worked on the problem for decades. Discussion topics will include the need for and challenges with lead service line replacement, the current and proposed USEPA rules for lead in water, and funding approaches being used in the US to address the problem.

Among the questions to be discussed:
• What does the new scientific literature tell us about the risks posed by lead in tap water, and the benefits of reducing lead exposure?
• How important is lead service line replacement to addressing lead in drinking water challenges?
• How can tap water monitoring for lead be improved?
• Who should pay for lead service line replacement?
• What are the implications of partial replacements, and what happens if a utility does not pay for full replacement?
• Are there environmental justice implications?
• What are some of the funding solutions to help address lead in drinking water challenges?

Host:

Kathy Vassilakos
OMWA Director-At-Large
Kathy Vassilakos is a Director-at-Large member of the OMWA board. She co-chaired the OMWA Working Group on Lead with OMWA Director Cheryl Beam. Kathy has a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Toronto and has worked in biotechnology as a project leader and consultant. She is a former member of Stratford City Council. During her time on council, she acted as Chair of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, and was a member on the Active Transportation Advisory Committee, Social Research and Planning Council, and Huron Perth Public Health Board.

Co-Host:

Jacqueline Wilson
Counsel, Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA)
Jacqueline is counsel at the Canadian Environmental Law Association. She is passionate about environmental justice and environmental health. She has represented clients before various provincial and federal administrative tribunals, and has appeared at all levels of Ontario and federal Courts. She specializes in climate change, energy and land use planning, and is CELA’s student program coordinator. Prior to joining CELA, Jacqueline was litigation counsel at the Department of Justice, where she represented the federal Crown in cases before both tribunals and courts. She received her JD from the University of Toronto in 2010.