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16 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 16, 2009 www.oakvillebeaver.com No need to have water tested privately says Region LIVE @ LESS THAN LEVEL Friday January 16, 2009 By Tim Foran METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP CANADA'S #1 POWER TRIO Less Than Level · 381 Kerr Street, Oakville 905-842-9009 4 Drinks on Saturdays $ For all your sports and entertainment needs. Halton Region is acting to calm concerns from urban residents about the quality of drinking water following the distribution of flyers from private companies to households in the region offering to test tap water for impurities. "Their water is safe because we do test their water regularly at the (water purification) plants," assured Mark Taylor, a spokesperson for Halton Region. Private companies have been distributing flyers across the region offering to test residents' tap water for impurities, said Taylor. However, residents may not see the small disclaimer on the flyer stating the company does not represent a government agency, he added. When in doubt, the Region is suggesting residents ask to see identification from anyone offering to test their water. All regional staff carry photo ID. The Region does not do drinking water tests at urban residents' households except for volunteers of the ongoing communitywide sampling program that is designed to test for lead. The current sampling period for that program continues until April 15 and the Region is still looking for volunteers. Volunteers needed include businesses, owners of homes built before 1952, as these homes may have lead service connections, as well as homes built before 1990, which may have lead solder connecting copper pipes. Residents of older Milton, with homes on the municipal well-based system rather than the lake-based system, can also volunteer. Apartment residents are not eligible to participate in the program because the Region requires residents with their own water meter. Volunteers who qualify for the program will be contacted by regional staff who will then arrange a visit from a Ministry of Environment-licensed sampler. For more information on how to volunteer, visit http://halton.ca/ppw/water/drinkingwater/leadvolunteer.cfm. The Regional Municipality of Halton www.halton.ca 3Rs of Plastic Bags Reduce & Reuse GreenCart Acceptable Liners It's up to you whether you line your GreenCart or not. If you choose to line your GreenCart, here are the acceptable liners: Paper towels Cardboard Paper bags Paper food waste bags Bring Your Own Bag altogether! Reduce your waste--use reusable shopping bags or bins when visiting the Take It Back! Halton Take plastic bags back to the store For a list of GreenCart acceptable liners and where they can be purchased, visit www.halton.ca/waste. not be collected: Plastic shopping bags Plastic garbage bags Green plastic recycling bags Oxo-biodegradable bags Visit www.halton.ca/takeitback shopping bags. Blue Box 2009 Budget responds to community needs No plastic bags Gary Carr Regional Chair www.halton.ca/waste for a list of locations where you can get additional www.halton.ca. Halton Regional Meeting Schedule January 21 January 21 February 3 February 4 February 4 9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Regional Council Meeting 160109