Important Information about Lead in the Village of Ilion’s Drinking Water

Recent drinking water quality monitoring conducted by the Village of Ilion public water supply has found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes/buildings.

The Village of Ilion is concerned about the health of their residents because lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources, especially for pregnant women and young children. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development.

Lead is a common metal found in the environment. Drinking water is one possible source of lead exposure. The primary source of lead exposure for most children is lead-based paint. Other sources of lead exposure include lead-contaminated dust or soil, and some plumbing materials. In addition, lead can be found in a number of consumer products, including certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, food, and cosmetics. Other sources include exposure in the workplace (jobs that include house painting, plumbing, renovation, construction, auto repair, welding, electronics repair, jewelry or pottery repair) and exposure from certain hobbies (such as stained glass or pottery, fishing, making or shooting firearms and collecting lead or pewter figurines), as lead can be carried on clothing and shoes. Children’s hands or their toys can come into contact with lead in paint, dust and soil. Therefore, washing children’s hands and their toys will help reduce the potential for lead exposure from these sources. Plumbing materials, including pipes, new brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free,” may contribute lead to drinking water. The law currently allows pipes, fittings, and fixtures with up to 0.25 percent weighted average of lead to be identified as “lead-free.”

Samples were collected between July 1 and September 30, 2020. More than 10% of these sample results exceeded the lead action level of 15 micrograms per liter (ug/l). We are currently evaluating our existing corrosion control treatment so that changes can be made to reduce lead levels. Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of the corrosion or wearing away of materials containing lead in the water distribution system and household plumbing. These materials include lead based solder used to join copper pipe, brass and chrome plated brass faucets and in some cases pipes made of lead that connects houses and building to water mains.

To find out if you have a lead service line to your home, you can find where the water line enters the building, generally through the basement wall. Lead service lines are generally soft and a dull grey in color. You can identify them by carefully scratching them with a key. If the pipe is made of lead, the area you scratched will turn a bright silver color. Do not use a knife or other sharp instrument and be careful to not puncture a hole in the pipe. NOTE: galvanized pipe can also be dull grey in color. A strong magnet will typically cling to galvanized pipes, but will not cling to lead pipes.

Steps You Can Take To Reduce Your Exposure To Lead In Your Water

• Run your water to flush out lead. Run water for 15-30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking, if it hasn’t been used for several hours. This flushes lead-containing water from the pipes.
• Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Do not use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula.
• Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
• Replace your plumbing fixtures if they are found to contain lead. Plumbing materials including brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free,” may contribute lead to drinking water. The law previously allowed end-use brass fixtures, such as faucets, with up to 8 percent lead to be labeled as “lead free.” As of January 4, 2014, end-use brass fixtures, such as faucets, fittings and valves, must meet the new “lead-free” definition of having no more than 0.25 percent lead on a weighted average. Visit the National Sanitation Foundation website at: http://www.nsf.org/newsroom pdf/Lead_free_certification marks.pdf to learn more about lead-containing plumbing fixtures and how to identify lead-free certification marks on new fixtures.
• Use bottled water or use a water filter. If your home is served by a lead service line, and/or if lead containing plumbing materials are found to be in your home, you may want to consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter. Read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead or contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 or visit http://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/what-is-nsf-certification/faucets-plumbing-certification/lead-older-homes, for a consumer guide of approved water filters. Be sure to maintain and replace a filter device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to protect water quality. Any measure you take to reduce your exposure to lead should be continued until the lead source(s) has been minimized or eliminated.

Should you test your water for lead?

If lead-containing plumbing materials are identified in your home, you may want to consider testing your water for lead to determine how much lead is in your drinking water. Call us at (315)895-7449 to find out how to get your water tested for lead. If you are interested in being put on a list to participate, please let us know. You may also call 518-402-7650 or visit the following website to participate in a free testing program offered through the New York State Department of Health: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/lead/free_lead_testing_pilot_program.htm

Should your child be tested for lead?

New York Public Health Law requires primary health care providers to screen each child for blood lead levels at one and two years of age as part of routine well-child care. In addition, at each routine well-child visit, or at least annually if a child has not had routine well-child visits, primary health care providers assess each child who is at least six-months of age, but under six years of age, for high lead exposure. Each child found to be at risk for high lead exposure is screened or referred for lead screening.

If your child has not had routine well-child visits (since the age of one year) and you are concerned about lead exposure to your child, contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead.

Call us at (315)895-7449 or visit our website at ilionny.com. Additional information will also be available at the Village of Ilion Municipal building. For more information on lead in drinking water, contact your local health department at New York State Department of Health Herkimer District Office at 315-866-6879, 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 bpwsp@health.state.ny.us. For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/lead, or call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD.