Lead-In-Water Levels Too High In 13 Percent Of Homes Tested: PWB

PORTLAND, OR — A recent test for lead in 134 Portland-area homes known to have lead solder in their plumbing found 18 of those homes to have lead-in-water levels higher than is acceptable, according to the Portland Water Bureau.

The water bureau tests high-risk homes with lead plumbing twice per year to ensure lead levels remain below the action level of 15 parts per billion. Water bureau officials in a statement released Thursday said they are required to notify the public when more than 10 percent of high-risk homes are above the action level; and though there are few sources of lead in Portland's drinking water, the main source of lead is home plumbing; and although Portland is working to improve its corrosion control treatment, 18 out of 134 homes does equal 13 percent of those tested — leading the officials to issue the public notice.

The tested homes reportedly receive water from the Portland Water Bureau, Burlington, Lorna Portland Water, Palatine Hill, Pleasant Home, Raleigh, Valley View and West Slope water districts.

Tests in Fall 2016 resulted in 12 out of 122 high-risk homes exceeding the acceptable lead levels, officials said. The Portland City Council on March 1 authorized the water bureau "to begin implementation of improved corrosion control treatment to further reduce the levels of lead in drinking water," officials said. "This decision was based on a corrosion control study indicating that additional treatment is the most effective means of further reducing lead in water from home and building plumbing."

While lead is a common element in the environment, the most common source of lead in Portland's water comes from the corrosion of lead-based solder in older homes, officials said. The Bull Run Watershed, Portland's primary drinking water source, is reportedly treated to prevent such corrosion. Officials said the council-directed improvements are expected to be in place by Spring 2022.

"Ideally, all of our customers' household plumbing fixtures would be lead-free, but they aren't," Portland Water Bureau Director Michael Stuhr said in a statement. "This is why we are making improvements to our system to further reduce the potential for lead at our customers' taps."

On Oct. 25, students at Astor K-8 School began drinking from brand new fountains installed in early September. The water fountains at multiple schools were shut off in May 2016, officials said, following reports of unacceptable lead-in-water levels at several Portland Public Schools — a scandal that ultimately led to the resignations of three PPS officials, including the superintendent.

Astor is one in the first group of 15 schools to see its water infrastructure replaced as part of a $28 million fixture replacement project, officials said. The other schools reportedly include Lewis, Woodstock, Chapman, Skyline, West Sylvan, Atkinson, Richmond, Rose City Park, Sacajawea, Beverly Cleary/Fernwood, Applegate, Chief Joseph, Meek, and Hayhurst.

Chapman Elementary School, at 1445 N.W. 26th Ave., is expected to have its drinking water fixtures turned on soon, officials said. When all 15 schools in the first group have been repaired, the district will reportedly move on to fixing the next round of 15 schools, with the hope that all work will be completed by the end of the 2017-2018 school year.

The Portland Water Bureau and regional providers recommend the following easy steps that customers can take now to reduce exposure to lead in water:

1. Run water to flush the lead out. If the water has not been used for several hours, run each tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes or until it becomes colder before drinking or cooking. This simple step can reduce lead in water up to 90 percent or more.

2. Use cold, fresh 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.

3. Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.

4. Test children for lead. Ask a physician or call the LeadLine to find out how to have aa child tested for lead. A blood lead level test is the only way to know if a child is being exposed to lead.

5. Test your water for lead. Call the LeadLine at 503-988-4000 to find out how to get a FREE lead-in-water test.

6. Consider using a filter. Check whether it reduces lead -- not all filters do. Be sure to maintain and replace a filter device in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to protect water quality. Contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 or www.nsf.org for information on performance standards for water filters.

7. Regularly clean the faucet aerator. Particles containing lead from solder or household plumbing can become trapped in faucet aerators. Regularly cleaning every few months will remove these particles and reduce the exposure to lead.

8. Consider buying low-lead fixtures. As of 2014, all pipes, fittings and fixtures are required to contain less than 0.25% lead. When buying new fixtures, consumers should seek out those with the lowest lead content.

To get your water tested for lead, or for more information on reducing lead exposure around your home or building and the health effects of lead, contact the LeadLine at www.leadline.org or 503-988-4000.

Related coverage on Patch:

• Lead in Portland School Water Latest: Superintendent Apologizes, Vows "Cannot Happen Again" (June 5, 2016)
• Worse than Flint: One Portland School Has a Sink with Lead Levels More than Four Times Worse (July 27, 2016)
• Portland Public Schools Lead Problems Move from Water to Paint (Aug. 15, 2016)
• Portland Ordered to Reduce Lead Levels in Drinking Water (Nov. 9, 2016)
• Lead-Tainted Water Fixture Replacements At Portland Schools To Begin Sept. 1 (Aug. 30, 2017)

Image: TanteTati via Pixabay.com