Spurred on by the ongoing effects of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan - in which thousands of residents were exposed to high levels of lead in drinking water - some Red Oakans are concerned about the presence of lead in our city’s tap water.
Exposure to lead is no laughing matter. While the federal “action” standard for lead, set by the EPA in 1991, is 15 parts per billion, both the EPA and the CDC, however, have claimed that there is no truly safe amount of exposure to lead, and the health effects can be dire. Small doses can lead to brain damage in young children, and even adults can suffer from high blood pressure and “increased risk of heart-related death,” according to the Red Oak Tribune.
As the Tribune explains:
“Drinking water typically is lead-free when it leaves a treatment plant but can be contaminated as it passes through or stagnates in lead service lines that connect homes to water mains, as well as lead plumbing inside homes. The hazards are widespread in Texas, which has a large number of older homes and more lead service lines than any other state.”
Water lines in the region are lined with anti-corrosive material that helps prevent water from being contaminated by the lead in the pipes; this coating, however, can break down when workers repair or replace old water mains. And Red Oak’s many, many older homes and historic buildings may have lead pipes that often go years without being inspected.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office insists “Red Oak water meets or exceeds state, federal and industry standards,” according to a city statement. And a Tribune editorial corroborates this, stating that “the city can point to the fact that it has not exceeded federal standards for lead since 1992.” The editorial also states, however:
“...the city checks just 50 homes for lead contamination in water every three years, the minimum required by the federal government. And it rarely tests in neighborhoods where childhood lead poisoning has emerged as a concern. Those areas include neighborhoods on the South and West sides, where lead poisoning rates are consistently higher than the national average.”
And per another Tribune report, official water testing standards can often be woefully inadequate:
“... the rules require utilities to check only the first liter of water drawn in the morning. [An] EPA study found that although the first liter often is lead-free, high levels of the toxic metal can flow through taps for several minutes afterward, depending in part on the length of the service line between the home and street.
And while the city has not yet resorted to the drastic measures of Lansing, Michigan and Madison, Wisconsin (which each spent years and millions of dollars totally ripping out lead pipe systems), it is taking reassuring steps to assuage community concerns.
Out of “an abundance of caution,” the city began testing lead levels in the water of 28 Red Oak public schools in April, as part of a pilot program that could expand to other schools depending on its findings.
And if you’re concerned about your house or condo, you can now call 311 to have your property’s tap water tested for lead.
NBC 5 Red Oak explains:
“Residents who request a water quality test should hear back from the city within two business days to schedule a test, with results provided within three weeks and posted online. If lead levels are above 15 parts per billion, the threshold for consumption, a Water Management team will help homeowners come up with a ‘plan of action,’ city officials said.
So, long story short? Right now, Red Oak is successfully meeting federal testing standards, and is expanding its outreach and testing efforts. On a national level, it may be time to rethink our standards about water purity to help ensure all of our families’ health and wellness in the decades ahead.
And in the present, you can certainly never be too careful: Look into home filtration systems, and check out the NSF’s guide to certified home water treatment products. Have your home’s lines tested by the city, or, at the very least, have an experienced plumbing professional give your home the once-over.
That’s where we come in. Whether you want to have your home’s plumbing system inspected, replaced, or maintained, we’d love to help! Drop Combat Plumbing a line for a service appointment or estimate today.
