Update on Town of Pinedale water testing
Some home water systems may contain traces of lead
by Town of Pinedale
November 10, 2016
The Town of Pinedale recently tested lead and copper levels at twenty customer water taps as required by the Environmental Protection Agency Lead and Copper Rule. The twenty sites were selected because they contain copper service lines and were built when lead solder was used in plumbing. Of the twenty test sites, two of the water taps tested had elevated lead levels which exceeded the EPA action level of 15 parts per billion. Extrapolating this data, it is possible that other Town water customers have lead in their building plumbing system.
The source of this lead is isolated within the plumbing of these properties. The Town water supply, Fremont Lake, contains no lead and the Town distribution system contains minute traces of lead. To help mitigate the lead your plumbing, the Town started using sodium silicate in the water distribution system. This chemical will provide a protective film on the service lines and help reduce the transfer of lead into your water. The only way to totally eliminate the lead is to replace the parts of your plumbing containing lead.
If you are concerned of lead in your water, there are several things you can do to reduce exposure. Contact Town Hall to find out how to get your water tested for lead, this will help you determine if your pipes contain lead or lead solder. Run your water for 15-30 seconds or until it becomes cold before using it for drinking or cooking. This draws fresh water from the Town’s water mains, flushing any standing lead from within the building’s plumbing. Don’t cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Do not boil your water to remove lead. Boiling water makes the lead more concentrated since the lead remains when the water evaporates.
For more information please visit townofpinedale.us or contact the Town Hall at 307-367-4136.
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