Residents concerned after asbestos found in Vancouver Island water pipes
Tap water at Kevin Fitzpatrick’s mechanic shop in Langford likely comes from nearby asbestos cement pipes.
“It makes you worry, it makes you wonder,” said Fitzpatrick upon hearing that news outside Fitz's Walker Power.
There are eight kilometres of asbestos cement pipes in Langford. The piping was installed decades ago, when the material was favoured for its durability.
The pipes are reaching the end of their lives, so the Capital Regional District, which provides drinking water to southern Vancouver Island, is replacing them.
Fitzpatrick says the notion of asbestos cement pipes concerns him. “If that’s the case, test the water, get on it,” he said.
CTV’s W5 discovered that thousands of kilometres of asbestos cement pipes are in place in at least 85 communities across Canada, including on Vancouver Island, notably in communities like Langford, Colwood, Nanaimo, Qualicum Beach and Ladysmith.
There’s growing concern that as those pipes age, asbestos could leach into the drinking water.
“We are constantly getting more and more evidence, some of it going back 50 years, but more and more evidence that it can cause gastrointestinal tract cancers,” said Arthur Frank, a public health professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Inhaling asbestos is proven to cause cancer. Ingesting or drinking it is less clear. The European Union is advocating its member states remove the pipes.
However, Health Canada maintains there’s no consistent evidence that drinking asbestos is harmful.
“I am concerned people can get cancer from ingestion, including from asbestos in water pipes,” said Frank.
W5 tested the drinking water in Winnipeg and Regina, discovering the presence of asbestos in both cities. There’s no federal or provincial requirements to test for asbestos in water, and no maximum limit of asbestos allowed by regulation.
The CRD says the water it provides to the region meets all federal, provincial and Island Health standards. It tells CTV News it doesn’t test for asbestos, however, and says it doesn’t do so because it's not required to.
In Nanaimo, there’s more than 100 kilometres of asbestos cement pipes. The city has tested for asbestos in the drinking water since the 1990s, leaving Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog confident residents are safe.
“The risk to the public, I would argue, is zero to pretty much nil, in the circumstances,” said Krog Monday, while drinking a glass of water.
“People are safe to drink Nanaimo's water, which is frankly, and I say with pride, about the best water you'll find anywhere in North America.”
The CRD plans to replace all asbestos cement pipes throughout the West Shore by 2055.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.