ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 12, 1996 TAG: 9603120072
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: ELLISTON
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
The Montgomery County Public Service Authority sent notices over the weekend warning 650-plus Shawsville and Elliston public water customers that there may be lead in their water because of old household plumbing.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency required the notices because tests last year of water from 20 customers of the Christiansburg-to-Elliston water system turned up three who exceeded a safe lead level of 15 parts per billion of lead in the water. Two of those three already had water filters in their homes, said Don Todora, a service authority employee.
The test results do not mean the PSA water system is carrying lead to homes. Instead, they indicate that some older homes may have lead pipes, lead solder used to join copper pipe or brass and chrome-plated fixtures. Beginning in 1986, Congress imposed stricter regulations on the use of lead in solder, pipes and fixtures.
The PSA was required to check building-inspection records and other documents to choose the 20-member sample - it constitutes less than 3 percent of customers - from among those most likely to have lead in their home water distribution system, Todora said.
Most of the time, high lead concentrations in old plumbing can be avoided by running the faucet for half a minute before taking any water for cooking or drinking, the PSA said. That's because the longer water has been sitting in home pipes, the higher the concentration. Those residents who suspect their plumbing may have a high lead level should have their water tested. The PSA recommends a local tester, Olver Laboratories Inc., which charges $30 per sample, Todora said. Olver's number is 552-5548.
Lead can pose a significant health risk if too much enters one's body, and poses the greatest risk to young children and pregnant women, the PSA said.
LENGTH: Short : 40 linesby CNB