IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD IN CITY OF AMSTERDAM DRINKING WATER
Drinking water quality monitoring conducted in 2018 by The City of Amsterdam has found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes/buildings in the City of Amsterdam.
The City of Amsterdam 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."
The results of the latest round of samples for lead, taken in September 2018 showed that our 90th percentile sample, which is required to be at or below 15 parts per billion, was 21 parts per billion. A corrosion control optimization study and recommendation was completed in December, 2018 and endorsed by the New York State Department of Health in February, 2019. This study recommended steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of lead in drinking water. These steps led to the approval of plans for a capital project to optimize our corrosion control. These plans were put out to bid, accepted and funded in May, 2022. On August 30th we put our new feed equipment in service. Subsequent testing for lead and copper will begin in the first quarter of 2024 with a goal of returning to compliance of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s lead and copper rule.
Steps You Can Take To Reduce Your Exposure To Lead In Your Water
Run your water to flush out lead. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, and the length of the lead service line. Residents should contact their water utility for recommendations about flushing times in their community.
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.
Steps You Can Take To Reduce Your Exposure To Lead In Your Water
Run your water to flush out lead. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, and the length of the lead service line. Residents should contact their water utility for recommendations about flushing times in their community.
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 1-800-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 518-843-3009 to find out how to get your water tested for lead. During the first quarter of 2024 we will begin testing 60 locations every six months for lead. If you are interested in participating, please contact us to determine your eligibility.
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-childcare. 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.
There are several actions that the City of Amsterdam is actively taking to address this lead in drinking water concern. The recent implementation of our corrosion control optimization has been a positive action resulting in a change in chemistry, which was studied, researched, and approved by the New York State Department of Health. This project, costing approximately $1.3 million, is in its final stages and being done with the oversight of consulting engineers as well as the Department of Health. These steps are being taken to help us reach our goal of returning to compliance with the lead and copper rule as set forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
If you have questions, please feel free to call us at 518-843-3009 or visit our website at www.amsterdamny.gov. 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,