The results of recent testing conducted by the town of Hector showed its water district found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes and buildings.
Between January and September of this year, the Schuyler County Town collected ten samples and analyzed them for lead. The results of more than ten percent of the samples exceeded the action level for lead. Lead from service lines and lead plumbing and fixtures can dissolve or break off into the water and end up at the faucet. We found that lead and older copper service lines are potential sources of lead in your drinking water. This does not mean that every property that receives drinking water from Hector Water District has lead in the drinking water. It does mean that you should understand how to reduce your exposure to lead through water. Keep in mind that drinking water is not the only potential source of lead exposure, since lead can be found in air, soil, and paint. For more information on all sources of lead, visit https://www.epa.gov/lead.
What is an Action Level?
The lead action level is a measure of the effectiveness of the corrosion control treatment in water systems. The action level is not a standard for establishing a safe level of lead in a home. To check if corrosion control is working, EPA requires water systems to test for lead at the tap in homes or buildings that are likely to have elevated levels of lead, including those with lead service lines. We compare sample results from those homes/buildings to NYS and federal action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb). If 10 percent of the samples from these homes have water concentrations that are greater than the action level, then the system must perform actions such as public education, adjusting treatment, and lead service line replacement.
Health Effects of Lead
*Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney, or nervous system problems.*
Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Your Water
Below are recommended actions that you may take, separately or in combination, if you are concerned about lead in your drinking water. The list also includes where you may find more information and is not intended to be a complete list or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead from drinking water.
Use your filter properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/home-drinking-water-… and EPA’s Consumer Tool for Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead.
Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
Run your Water. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home. Residents may contact us at 607-280-4030 or [email protected] for recommendations about flushing times in their community.
Learn what your service line material is Contact us at 607-280-4030 or [email protected] or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials. . Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead is EPA’s on-line step by step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home.
Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Contact us at 607-280-4030 or [email protected] to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service line. Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line if present.
Have your water tested. Contact us at 607-280-4030 or [email protected] to have your water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water.
Get Your Child Tested to Determine Lead Levels in His or Her Blood
A family doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood test for lead and provide information about the health effects of lead. State, city, or county departments of health can also provide information about how you can have your child’s blood tested for lead. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that public health actions be initiated when the level of lead in a child’s blood is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or more. For more information and links to CDC’s website, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-ab….
What is Being Done?
The actions that we are taking are following the State lead and copper regulations listed below.
In addition to the information mentioned above that we will provide to residents at locations we sampled, we will also be following up with additional public education to all our customers by November 30th.
We also plan to take the following steps:
We are conducting additional lead and/or water quality monitoring of our water system supply.
We are increasing our lead monitoring to determine the extent of the situation.
We are working to determine which corrosion control treatment strategy would be most effective in addressing this situation. This will be completed by March 31st, 2025
*Call us at 607-280-4030 or visit our website (www.hectorny.us). For more information on lead in drinking water, contact your local health department at Hornell District Office 607-324-8371, or the New York State Department of Health directly by calling the toll-free number (within New York State) 1-800-458-1158, extension 27650, or out of state at (518) 402-7650, or by email at [email protected]. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk from lead in drinking water are available from EPA’s website https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-ab…
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
