Aqua America Shares Important Advice for Minimizing Lead Exposure
October 24 2016 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
The water and wastewater utility is marking
Lead Poisoning Prevention Week by encouraging homeowners to take
steps to reduce lead exposure in their homes
Lead contamination has become a critical topic in the water
industry in recent years as communities across the country work to
remove lead sources from their drinking water supplies. Aqua
America is educating the public about the importance of detecting
lead in drinking water during Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which
is being marked this year from October 23 – 29.
Aqua wants customers to be informed about the health risks of
lead exposure and understand how they can work with Aqua to ensure
their drinking water is safe. There are two potential sources of
lead contamination in drinking water: lead service lines that
deliver water directly into homes from the water mains in the
street, and household plumbing containing lead solder and brass
fixtures. Contrary to popular belief, lead is not typically found
in streams, reservoirs or wells that supply water to homes.
“As a leading water utility, our number one priority is
delivering safe, reliable drinking water to our customers,” said
Christopher Crockett, Ph.D., chief environmental officer of Aqua
America. “Lead Poisoning Prevention Week provides a great
opportunity to increase awareness about the dangers of lead
exposure and make sure our customers understand the importance of
checking their home for lead sources.”
Aqua conducts required testing for drinking water contaminants,
including lead and copper, to ensure compliance with state and
federal drinking water standards. The company also treats corrosive
water with a corrosion inhibitor to decrease the rate of lead that
leaches into water from pipes and fixtures.
In addition, Aqua tests for lead in high-risk sample homes to
comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) lead
and copper rule. As standard practice, Aqua replaces their portion
of any lead service lines if found during maintenance and
construction activities. If Aqua finds lead in the portion of the
service line owned by the customer, they strongly encourage the
customer to replace it.
If a customer’s water shows elevated levels of lead, or if they
are concerned about the potential of lead in their water, Aqua has
tips to minimize exposure:
- Run your tap to flush out lead.
If your water hasn’t been used for several hours, run water for at
least 30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady
temperature before using it for drinking or cooking.
- Use cold water to cook and prepare
baby formula. Don’t boil water to reduce lead. Lead dissolves
more easily into hot water. Boiling water won’t reduce lead.
- If you buy a water filter, make sure
it’s approved to reduce lead. You can contact NSF International
at 800.NSF.8010 or NSF.org to learn more about approved water
filters.
- Be aware that brass faucets,
fittings and valves – even those advertised as lead free – might
contribute lead to drinking water. The law allows end-use
fixtures, such as faucets, with wetted surfaces containing a
maximum weighted average of 0.25 percent lead to be labeled as lead
free.
- If you are concerned about exposure,
contact your local health department or healthcare provider to
find out how you can get tested for lead.
For more information on reducing lead exposure in your home,
visit AquaAmerica.com. Aqua customers can also call Aqua at
877.987.2782 for information about having their water tested for
lead.
Aqua America is one of the largest U.S.-based, publicly traded
water utilities and serves nearly 3 million people in Pennsylvania,
Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, Indiana and
Virginia. Aqua America is listed on the New York Stock Exchange
under the ticker symbol WTR. Visit AquaAmerica.com for more
information, or follow Aqua on Facebook at
facebook.com/MyAquaAmerica and on Twitter at @MyAquaAmerica.
WTRG
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Aqua AmericaStacey HajdakO: 610-520-6309M:
267-297-1866SMHajdak@AquaAmerica.com
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