Lead levels in tap water

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Author Message   Zeno Citizen Username: Eratosthenes Post Number: 46 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Friday, March 5, 2004 - 2:38 am:        They appear to be getting some CW-defying results on lead levels in DC water: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31777-2004Mar4.html Ex: lead levels went up when they ran the taps for a few minutes; high lead levels in relatively new houses that do not have lead service lines (>150ppb); etc. Some of these problems (e.g. lead leeching from brass parts) may be due to a switch two years ago to the use of chloramine, a chemical disinfectant. They have had some truly jaw-dropping outlier cases. We've been filtering since we moved in, as much a result of reading "A Civil Action" as anything. I recommend the book, the movie stank: the movie made the EPA out to be the heros, in real life the EPA left the plaintiff families out to dry. The DC experience suggests that EPA regs on lead in drinking water need to be revised. Some advice on filtering here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32202-2004Feb11_2.html   tourne Citizen Username: Tourne Post Number: 315 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Saturday, March 6, 2004 - 10:34 pm:        The Washington Post article should not be relied on for all the facts. First, residents sample their own water and are depended on to do it the right way. Most likely, there was many sampling errors out of the 6,000 samples which is a huge number of homes. Secondly, it is well known that houses built in the 70's and 80's still had lead solder used in plumbing and, in fact, these houses are most likely to have the highest lead levels--due to solder. Older homes have had a chance for the plumbing to get lined with mineral deposits, covering up any lead. Third, the EPA does not only require testing on older homes. Fourth, the presence of lead service lines is a known problem and cities are required to replace them. Fifth, the problem with brass fixtures, especially imported ones is also well known. One question should be asked. Why has WDC not addressed their lead service lines in the 10 years since lead sampling has been required. Corrosion control studies and implementation should have been completed a long time ago. Sounds like EPA enforcement was lacking in this case. Lastly, though your link to "filtering advice" did not work. A simple Brita type filter will do the trick after one runs the water for a few minutes in the vast majority of cases. My advice, never depend on a newspaper for the whole truth.   Zeno Citizen Username: Eratosthenes Post Number: 51 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Sunday, March 7, 2004 - 7:45 am:        Tourne, thanks for the info. The WP page on filters appears to have moved: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A32202 -2004Feb11 When we moved in, we were told to get the lead out of tap water by running the tap for a few minutes. Now I read that experience in DC is that this can increase the lead levels, hence the posting. I appreciate your further clarification.   tourne Citizen Username: Tourne Post Number: 316 Registered: 1-2003 Posted on Sunday, March 7, 2004 - 6:24 pm:        The filter article is pretty good. One point to clarify is that the 15 ppb lead figure is an "action level" not a maximum contaminant level or limit. That is, when the ninetieth percentile of all samples is above 15 ppb, than the water company has to take action to reduce lead levels (adding a chemical to the water to coat the inside of pipes and keep the lead from leaching). For instance, if 100 samples are taken and then ranked from lowest lead result to highest, sample number 90 must be below 15 ppb. This means that even if a water system meets the action level of 15 ppb, 10% of the samples(homes) could have lead levels well above 15 ppb and the system is still in compliance. The good news is that lead service lines are pretty rare in most cities in NJ and NJ has a vigorous enforcement program. Also, water departments may be looking for homes for the lead sampling program. Contact them and you may be able to get your water tested for nothing.