Water Quality Westbrook BOE presentation ...
Lead in Drinking Water How Flint has forever changed things It has undermined public confidence The impacts were unforgivable That situation was unique Water professionals have responded
Where does lead come from?
Lead is NOT found in sources of supply, following treatment, or in the distribution system
Water companies add chemicals to “protect” service lines and internal plumbing from leaching of lead
Lead likely comes from customers’ premises – service lines, solder or plumbing fixtures
CWC
CWC
How is lead testing done?
Customer collects the sample First-flush, cold water Results vary from house to house Company notifies customers of their test results Required notification if exceed levels
How do we control lead? What is done to avoid what happened in Flint
Comply with the Regulation
Provide Corrosion Control
pH Monitoring and Control
Infrastructure Program - replace company’s lead service lines as identified
If sources change – we monitor, plan and react
Customer Outreach
Focus on customer service ◦ Close collaboration between Call Center & Water Quality team ◦ Heightened awareness of water quality in general ◦ Customer-requested samples
Outreach to Schools, Town officials
School Sampling
Used same protocol, sample size, standard as for residential testing
Tested in schools in 20 service towns
Selected fountains or food prep areas to be most representative of water that is consumed
Did ‘first draw’ and after fully flushed
Lead Testing Results Summary -Westbrook Schools School Building
Sample Location
Daisy Ingraham Daisy Ingraham Daisy Ingraham Daisy Ingraham Daisy Ingraham
Nurses Office Drinking Fountain RM 1 Drinking Fountain RM 14 Small Kitchen Faculty Room Fountain
Fully Flushed Result ND 1 ND ND ND
First Draw Result ND ND ND ND ND
Westbrook HS Westbrook HS Westbrook HS Westbrook HS Westbrook HS
Drinking Fountain RM 112 Gym Drinking Fountain Drinking Fountain Restroom Nurses Office Small Kitchen Sink
ND ND ND 2 ND
1 ND 2 1 2
Westbrook MS Westbrook MS Westbrook MS Westbrook MS
Drinking Fountain - Tall - CAFÉ Drinking Fountain Rm 204 Tall Drinking Fountain Rm 211 Tall Kitchen Small Sink
3 2 ND 2
ND 1 1 2
All results are in parts per billion (ppb);
USEPA action level (AL) is 15 ppb or 0.015 parts per million (ppm) State-certified laboratory reports provided
Do Filters Reduce Lead in Water? NSF International certified water filters reduce the amount of lead in drinking water.
Water dispensers or filters attached to the faucet allows the water to flow through adsorption media which captures contaminants such as lead.
Contaminants, such as lead, are trapped in the filter and remain inside the filter, reducing their presence in the finished drinking water.
Filters must be replaced according to the manufacturer's recommended filter capacity so they can continue to reduce lead and other contaminants for which they are certified. NSF certified filters reduce the contaminants as shown on the product's box or manual.
Many filters have meters or indicators that show when the filter needs to be replaced. Review the manufacturer’s specifications for details on filter change frequency and filter capacity.
Simple Steps You Can Take
Run faucet for minute or 2 before drinking;
Use cold water for drinking or food preparation;
Look at plumbing and fixtures.
Pay particular attention if water has been stagnant for long period – vacations, summertime
To Recap….. 1.
Lead is NOT found in the company’s water supplies or distribution system
2.
The water delivered in system does not contain lead - treatment techniques in place, corrosion control program, and WQ sampling
3.
Source of lead is typically at the customers’ premise – service lines, solder, or fixtures
4.
Company is eager to give our customers additional information
5.
Customers can take steps at their property to reduce risks
For additional information on lead in drinking water
CT Department of Public Health at www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/drinking_water/pdf/lead.pdf
EPA at www.epa.gov/safewater/schools
Connecticut Water at www.ctwater.com
Where does lead come from?
Lead is NOT found in sources of supply, following treatment, or in the distribution system
Water companies add chemicals to “protect” service lines and internal plumbing from leaching of lead
Lead likely comes from customers’ premises – service lines, solder or plumbing fixtures
CWC
CWC
How is lead testing done?
Customer collects the sample First-flush, cold water Results vary from house to house Company notifies customers of their test results Required notification if exceed levels
How do we control lead? What is done to avoid what happened in Flint
Comply with the Regulation
Provide Corrosion Control
pH Monitoring and Control
Infrastructure Program - replace company’s lead service lines as identified
If sources change – we monitor, plan and react
Customer Outreach
Focus on customer service ◦ Close collaboration between Call Center & Water Quality team ◦ Heightened awareness of water quality in general ◦ Customer-requested samples
Outreach to Schools, Town officials
School Sampling
Used same protocol, sample size, standard as for residential testing
Tested in schools in 20 service towns
Selected fountains or food prep areas to be most representative of water that is consumed
Did ‘first draw’ and after fully flushed
Lead Testing Results Summary -Westbrook Schools School Building
Sample Location
Daisy Ingraham Daisy Ingraham Daisy Ingraham Daisy Ingraham Daisy Ingraham
Nurses Office Drinking Fountain RM 1 Drinking Fountain RM 14 Small Kitchen Faculty Room Fountain
Fully Flushed Result ND 1 ND ND ND
First Draw Result ND ND ND ND ND
Westbrook HS Westbrook HS Westbrook HS Westbrook HS Westbrook HS
Drinking Fountain RM 112 Gym Drinking Fountain Drinking Fountain Restroom Nurses Office Small Kitchen Sink
ND ND ND 2 ND
1 ND 2 1 2
Westbrook MS Westbrook MS Westbrook MS Westbrook MS
Drinking Fountain - Tall - CAFÉ Drinking Fountain Rm 204 Tall Drinking Fountain Rm 211 Tall Kitchen Small Sink
3 2 ND 2
ND 1 1 2
All results are in parts per billion (ppb);
USEPA action level (AL) is 15 ppb or 0.015 parts per million (ppm) State-certified laboratory reports provided
Do Filters Reduce Lead in Water? NSF International certified water filters reduce the amount of lead in drinking water.
Water dispensers or filters attached to the faucet allows the water to flow through adsorption media which captures contaminants such as lead.
Contaminants, such as lead, are trapped in the filter and remain inside the filter, reducing their presence in the finished drinking water.
Filters must be replaced according to the manufacturer's recommended filter capacity so they can continue to reduce lead and other contaminants for which they are certified. NSF certified filters reduce the contaminants as shown on the product's box or manual.
Many filters have meters or indicators that show when the filter needs to be replaced. Review the manufacturer’s specifications for details on filter change frequency and filter capacity.
Simple Steps You Can Take
Run faucet for minute or 2 before drinking;
Use cold water for drinking or food preparation;
Look at plumbing and fixtures.
Pay particular attention if water has been stagnant for long period – vacations, summertime
To Recap….. 1.
Lead is NOT found in the company’s water supplies or distribution system
2.
The water delivered in system does not contain lead - treatment techniques in place, corrosion control program, and WQ sampling
3.
Source of lead is typically at the customers’ premise – service lines, solder, or fixtures
4.
Company is eager to give our customers additional information
5.
Customers can take steps at their property to reduce risks
For additional information on lead in drinking water
CT Department of Public Health at www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/drinking_water/pdf/lead.pdf
EPA at www.epa.gov/safewater/schools
Connecticut Water at www.ctwater.com
