Some Boston homes have high lead levels in their drinking water, officials urge residents to remove lead service lines
City officials are urging residents to get the lead out after drinking water tests showed that some Hub homes have high levels of lead.
The Boston Water and Sewer Commission recently tested a number of homes for lead and copper in drinking water, and more than 15% of the tested city homes had elevated levels of lead.
Of the 33 higher risk properties that were tested for water quality, six of the homes were above the federal action level for lead in drinking water. The tap water samples exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection action level for lead of 15 parts per billion — with sample readings of 21 parts per billion.
The Boston Water and Sewer Commission emphasized that all of Boston’s water mains are lead free, and that the drinking water is lead free when it leaves the reservoirs. However, some older homes in Boston may have a lead water service line.
“The longer water remains in contact with plumbing materials containing lead, the greater the possibility that lead will dissolve into the drinking water,” said Boston Water and Sewer Commission Chief Engineer John Sullivan.
According to the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, its water mains that carry water to residences are made mostly of iron and steel. As a result, the water mains do not add lead to water. But lead can get into tap water through the service line that connects homes to the water main if it’s made of lead.
Also, lead may come from lead solder used to connect pipes in home plumbing, and from some older brass faucets and fixtures.
“Excessive amounts of lead in the body can cause serious adverse health effects including damage to the brain, red blood cells and kidneys,” the Boston Water and Sewer Commission said in a statement.
“The greatest risk is to infants and young children, whose physical growth and mental development can be impaired by lead contamination,” the commission added. “Also vulnerable are pregnant women, whose fetuses can be harmed by lead.”
This year, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission is offering eligible customers the opportunity to replace the lead service line in their property free of charge. In the past year, the commission has removed more than 240 lead service lines.
The commission said it will continue to identify and reach out to property owners with suspected lead service lines, advising customers to take advantage of the free lead replacement program.
The Boston Water and Sewer Commission is urging residents who have questions about the Free Lead Replacement Incentive Program to call 617-989-7888. Residents can also visit www.bwsc.org.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/i7L3E95
Post a Comment