Lead
Lead is a common, naturally occurring
metal that is found throughout the environment in lead-based paint as
well as in air, soil, household dust, and, sometimes, water. If present,
elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially
for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is
primarily from materials and components associated with service lines
and home plumbing.
How Lead Gets in Drinking Water
Lead
can enter drinking water when service pipes that contain lead corrode,
especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that
corrodes pipes and fixtures. The City of Monroe is responsible for
providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of
materials used in plumbing components.
How the City of Monroe Mitigate Lead Exposure?
The
City of Monroe water treatment process includes adding a corrosion
inhibitor to treated water for addressing elevated lead and copper in water.
Approximately 1315 out of the 15,251 customers within our service area
have full or partial lead service lines into their homes and require field verification. These service
lines can be a source of lead leaching from the pipes. The City of
Monroe has been in all regulatory compliance with past lead sampling.
What Can You Do?
When
your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the
potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2
minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned
about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested.
Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you
can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water
Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
How Can I Find Out If I Have Lead In My Water?
The
City of Monroe has been in all regulatory compliance with past lead
sampling. Customers curious as to their lead levels at the tap can buy a
consumer lead testing kit and test their water themselves. The Water
Department can help customers with interpreting test results. The Water
Department lead sample testing costs approximately $50 each. Eliminating
lead service lines is the best long-term solution to the problem of
lead in drinking water. We do replace lead service lines every year in
conjunction with local street construction and other maintenance
projects and otherwise as budget and time permits.
Suspected Locations with Lead Service