Members of city council are calling for the removal of lead water pipes across Calgary.

Councillors Druh Farrell and Jeromy Farkas put forth a notice of motion at Tuesday’s priorities and finance committee that, if approved by council, would direct administration to “prepare a report on accelerated removal of lead water pipes, from both public and private properties.”

That report would look at costs and funding options, timelines and opportunities for “collaboration and cost-sharing” with the province and private property owners.

“Access to clean, safe drinking water is a critical responsibility of The City of Calgary,” Farrell said on Twitter on Monday.

“That’s why (Farkas) and I are bringing forward this urgent motion to address lead contamination in Calgary’s drinking water.”

The notice of motion cited recent media reports regarding lead contamination in drinking water across 14 Canadian cities, including Calgary.

The motion satisfied the committee’s technical review on Tuesday and will move to council for a full debate.

Replacing public lead pipes would cost the city about $11 million, according to the motion. It stated that at least 550 properties in Calgary are connected to city water services by lead pipes on city property.

“The city conducted hundreds of water tests on Calgary properties known to be connected by lead pipes over recent years, with 46 properties breaching federal guidelines for lead exposure in 2019,” the notice of motion stated.