A handful of Peoria water testing sites are showing elevated levels of lead.
That’s according to utility company Illinois American Water, which issued a notice required by the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] to customers in the Peoria district this week.
According to a spokesperson for the company, 103 water samples were collected between January and June in the Peoria area’s water system. Fourteen of those samples, or more than 10% of the total, showed lead measures above the action line of 15 parts per billion.
The company stresses that these results are specific to the locations tested, which prioritize buildings with existing lead service lines, and do not “indicate a community-wide issue.”
In the notice to customers, the company detailed several actions they are taking in response. Illinois American Water will conduct additional testing and sampling in the district, evaluate their current use of corrosion control treatment and continue efforts to provide lead service line replacements.
Illinois American Water also has some guidelines for customers to reduce their potential exposure to lead in drinking water.
Lead levels increase over time while water sits in lead-containing pipes. If a faucet hasn’t been used for more than six hours, flush the tap with cold water for up to two minutes before drinking or using it to cook. If you have a lead service line, you may need to flush for three to five minutes. The flushed water can be collected and used for another purpose, like watering plants.
Cold water should be used for drinking, cooking and making baby formula. Routinely remove and clean faucet aerators. Check to see if any of your interior plumbing contains lead and replace any that do and flush your faucets after any major plumbing changes.
According to the EPA, high levels of lead exposure have a variety of health effects. Infants and children can see decreases in IQ and attention span, lead can also make new learning and behavior problems or worsen existing ones.
Adults have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems with high lead exposure.
