Ada city officials reported that for the first time since mandatory testing began in 1992 that high levels of lead have been found in the city’s water supply. The level of lead found in the water are not a violation but an “action level.” An “action level” requires the water system to review its water process. At this time the cause of the lead is unknown. The source is not believed to be Byrd’s Mill Spring. Lead in drinking water is normally from older homes with lead pipes or lead solder.
Ada’s water supply comes from the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer. The aquifer surfaces at Byrd’s Mill Spring and then flows approximately 12 miles into the city’s water plant.
The EPA has the following recommendations to help protect your family from lead in drinking water:
Flush your pipes before drinking, and only use cold water for consumption. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Anytime the water in a particular faucet has not been used for six hours or longer, “flush” your cold-water pipes by running the water until it becomes as cold as it will get. This could take as little as five to thirty seconds if there has been recent heavy water use such as showering or toilet flushing. Otherwise, it could take two minutes or longer. Your water utility will inform you if longer flushing times are needed to respond to local conditions.
Use only water from the cold-water tap for drinking, cooking, and especially for making baby formula. Hot water is likely to contain higher levels of lead. The two actions recommended above are very important to the health of your family. They will probably be effective in reducing lead levels because most of the lead in household water usually comes from the plumbing in your house, not from the local water supply. -read more
If you are worried about lead levels in your home click here for more information on getting your water tested.
About the Author
Lisa Sharp is passionate about green living, organic food, animals, and natural medicine. She is an environmental activist, green living expert, and consultant. In addition to being the founder and editor of Green Oklahoma, Lisa has a green living blog, Retro Housewife Goes Green. You can follow Lisa on twitter @Retrohousewife5 and Facebook.
Photo Credit: armaggesin
