
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 24, 1994                   TAG: 9406290030
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TOWNS BEGIN LEAD-HAZARD CAMPAIGN

Blacksburg and Christiansburg have undertaken an education campaign on the hazards of lead in drinking water, after sampling performed last spring revealed that water in some homes contains amounts of lead higher than recommended levels.

The towns tested water in homes known to have the highest risk of lead contamination from lead-based solder on pipes, and found that more than 10 percent of the sampled homes exceeded federally accepted levels, said Adele Schirmer, Blacksburg's director of planning and engineering.

While neither of the towns' water lines contain lead, houses which were built or had major plumbing work done between 1983 and 1986 may be most at risk because lead solder may have been used on pipes during that time.

If homeowners have reason to think their water may be contaminated, they are advised to flush their faucets for 15-30 seconds before using water if the faucet has gone unused for six hours or more.

They are also advised to have their water checked. Labs that do such testing include Olver Inc. of Blacksburg and ETS Analytical Services of Roanoke. For more information, call the Blacksburg Planning and Engineering Department at 961-1114 or the Christiansburg Public Works Department at 382-6128.

by CNB