water tect article on lead

Galvanized home pipes also big lead source	<<>
Friday, October 16, 2009
WASHINGTON — In-home galvanized iron pipes should be considered as potentially important a source of lead in residential drinking water as lead service lines, warns a recently released study from HDR Engineering, Inc. The engineering consulting firm undertook the study at the request of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC WASA), DC WASA reported in an October 16 media advisory. In 2008, DC WASA commissioned a study, conducted by HDR, to examine the relationship between lead and iron in drinking water and galvanized systems in a small percentage of District homes. The study was recently presented to the DC WASA Board of Directors Retail Services Committee, and is being prepared for peer review for a scientific journal. “Although the study has not gone through the lengthy peer review process, the DC WASA staff felt its important findings should be immediately distributed,” the media advisory stated. It noted, “The study states that in-home plumbing, specifically galvanized pipes, may contribute lead to residential drinking water, and should be considered as potentially important a lead source as lead service lines themselves.” DC WASA for some time has been at the center of controversy about levels of lead in residential tap water. One such controversy includes DC WASA’s citation of questionable research as reliable evidence that the levels of lead previously detected in the city’s water had not harmed residents, as WaterTech Online® reported. According to DC WASA, the utility has made significant progress citywide in reducing drinking water lead levels “far below” the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulatory requirements. The HDR study was one effort by DC WASA to ensure reduced lead in its drinking water. According to Charles Kiely, assistant general manager for consumer services, “We take lead levels seriously, and there are several remedies outlined in the HDR report for residents in the District with galvanized pipes, who have or had lead service lines.” The report recommends that to fully ensure lead is not released from galvanized plumbing, full home replacement of that plumbing is the most desirable option. However, given the high expense of pipe replacement, an NSF/ANSI-certified filter that removes lead at the tap, or a pitcher filter, are also acceptable alternatives, the report stated. According to DC WASA, there are national implications in the study’s results since many older cities throughout the country continue to supply drinking water through lead service lines connected to galvanized plumbing. To access the media advisory, click here. For related information, click here.