Under U.S. EPA rules, each year, MWRA and your local water department must test tap water in a sample of homes that are likely to have high lead levels. These are usually homes with lead service lines or lead solder. The EPA rule requires that 9 out of 10, or 90%, of the sampled homes must have lead levels below the Action Level of 15 parts per billion (ppb).

2007 UPDATE ON LEAD AND COPPER SAMPLING

Good News on Lead Levels

The most recent sampling round, once again, meets the Lead Action Level.  Results from lead and copper samples collected in September 2007 show that 96.5% of the targeted high-risk homes had lead levels equal to or below the Lead Action Level (AL) of 15 parts per billion (ppb), meeting the requirement of at least 90%. The 90% value was 8.3 ppb.  MWRA, as a system, has met eight straight rounds and 11 of the last 13 sampling rounds.

In 1996, MWRA began to add sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide to the water to make it less corrosive.   Lead levels dropped significantly after this change in treatment, but still did not consistently meet the standard. 

Therefore, in 2002 and 2003, MWRA adjusted the corrosion control process by fine-tuning the pH and alkalinity levels. 

11 of the last 13 rounds of lead sampling have now been below the 15 ppb Action Level, and MWRA continues to work so that the MWRA service area will consistently be below the 15-ppb Action Level.

MWRA has made the water less corrosive, thereby reducing the leaching of lead into drinking water. In 1996, MWRA began operating a facility in Marlborough where sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide are added to adjust the water's pH and buffering capacity. This change has made the water less likely to leach lead from the pipes.

Lead levels in found in sample tests of tap water have dropped significantly since this treatment change. Also, local water departments are working to decrease lead corrosion by replacing existing lead lines.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO LEAD

To reduce your potential exposure, you should always use fresh, cold, running water for drinking and cooking. You should always buy plumbing fixtures that have zero- or low-lead levels. Read the labels of any new plumbing fixtures closely.

Here are more steps you can take:

• Be careful of places you may find lead in your home. Paint, soil, dust and some pottery may contain lead.
• Run tap water until after the water feels cold. Then fill a fresh pitcher with fresh water and place in the refrigerator for future use.
• Never use hot water from the faucet for drinking or cooking, especially when making baby formula or food for infants.
• As your local water department if there are lead service pipes leading to your home.
• Test your tap water. Contact MWRA (617) 242-5323, or check our website for a list of certified labs.
• Call the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (1-800-532-9571) for health information, or visit their website: <http://www.mass.gov/dph>.

IMPORTANT LEAD INFORMATION FROM EPA

Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. It is possible that lead levels in your home may be higher than levels in other homes in your community as a result of materials used in your home's plumbing. Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning disabilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. If you are concerned about lead levels in your home's water, you may wish to have your water tested (Click here for a list of certified testing labs). Flush the water until after the water is cold before you use it.

• EPA Lead Information - http://www.epa.gov/lead/leadinfo.htm
• CDC Lead Information – http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/lead.htm
• Click here for a public service announcement from MWRA (6.4 MB .mp3)

SHOULD I BUY A HOME FILTRATION SYSTEM OR BOTTLED WATER?

For MWRA households, average water and sewer costs are less than one cent per gallon.

Most homes in the service area do not have lead issues with their tap water. Also, simply running your tap until the water is noticeably colder, after the water has been sitting for several hours, is usually a much cheaper and effective alternative to a filter or bottled water. Some water filtration systems do not remove lead. Before you purchase a filter, you should verify the manufacturer’s claim. A good resource is the National Sanitation Foundation at http://www.nsf.org or at 1-877-867-3435. If your water has elevated levels of lead after flushing, bottled water is an option, but it may cost as much as 1000 times more than tap water.

MWRA CONTACTS

If you have questions or would like more information about lead in drinking water, please call our Water Quality Hotline: 617-242-5323, or email Joshua Das, Project Manager, Public Health:<joshua.das@mwra.state.ma.us>

> Go to more details on lead sampling results.

Rev. December 27, 2007 11:42 AM