Lawmaker Warns Of Lead In Chester County Water

Just how bad is lead contamination in the Pennsylvania water supply?

One local lawmaker is helping to lead the charge to find out.

Chester County's State Rep. Andy Dinniman (D-19) voted to approve legislation which would authoritze a study to analyze the impact of lead issues throughout the state, including the local area.

Dinniman said he found water contaminated with lead in his own office in West Chester on 1 North Church Street.

Upon repairing a problem with the water meter, Dinniman said that Aqua Pennsylvania officials performed a test, which determined that the historic building’s water contained 47 ug/L (micrograms per liter or parts per billion).

The “Action Level” of lead in water is 15 ug/L, officials said.

“The situation in Flint, Michigan prompted the legislature to take action in examining the possibility of lead contamination in our homes, schools, buildings, and water supply,” Dinniman said in a statement. “We must be proactive and vigilant in identifying and amending potential lead issues here in Pennsylvania and Chester County, especially in light of our effort to preserve historic structures and incorporate their reuse.”

Dinniman said he warned his neighbors and that Aqua checked their pipes for free, replacing the pipes that were at fault for the contamination.

Senate Bill 16 will now go to the Senate floor.

Dinniman cited a 2014 Department of Health study found that children in more than eighteen communities throughout the Commonwealth have tested positive for lead at levels higher than those in Flint. Some of the communities in that report are: Allentown, Altoona, Bethlehem, Erie, Johnstown, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Reading, and Scranton.

The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women, officials note.

If you are concerned about lead exposure contact your healthcare provider or local health department to find out how you can get your child tested for lead. Local residents interested in testing their water should call Aqua at 877-987-2782. Schools or daycare centers should call the EPA’s safe drinking water hotline at 800-426-4791.