By: Lydia Crawley The Parsons Advocate
The Town of Davis issued a Drinking Water Warning September 25th pertaining to elevated lead levels in the drinking water of some homes in the Town. The notice was the result of testing conducted between June and September in which more than 10% of the samples collected exceeded the action level for lead.
The notice states that lead service lines, lead in plumbing, etc are potential sources of lead in drinking water. The notice continues that corrosion of these sources can cause lead to break off and find their way to faucets and fixtures in homes.
“This does not mean that every property that receives drinking water from DAVIS WATER WORKS has lead in the drinking water,” the notice states. “It means that you should understand how to reduce your exposure to lead through water.”
The notice states that water is not the only source of lead. Air, soil and paint are all additional sources of lead, the notice states. The notice gives the following website for more information on sources of lead: www.epa.gov/lead
Lead exposure in children has been found to cause serious health effects such as decreased IQ and learning and behavioral problems. Adults are also prone to increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems from lead exposure, as well, the notice states.
The notice gives some steps that residents can take to limit their exposure to lead from the water in Davis.
- Use your filter properly: The use of a filter can reduce the amount of lead in drinking water. Check the filter to make sure it is certified to remove lead. Read all instructions to properly install, operate and maintain the unit.
*Clean your aerator: Regular removal and cleaning of the faucet’s screen, also known as the aerator, can remove debris and lead particles that collect in the unit.
*Use cold water: Do not use hot water form the tap for drinking, cooking or making baby formula, as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
- Run your water: The more time water sits in a home’s pipes, the more lead it can collect. Before drinking, flush the pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether the home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in the home. Residents may contact the Town of Davis at 304-259-5502 or email wateroperator@daviswv.us or contact a licensed plumber to determine if the pipes that connect the home to the water main (called the service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials.
*Learn about construction in your neighborhood: Contact the Town of Davis at 304-259-5502 or email wateroperator@daviswv.us to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb the home’s service line. Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line if present.
*Have your water tested: Contact the Town of Davis at 304-259-5502 or email wateroperator@daviswv.us to have your water tested to learn more about the lead level in the home’s drinking water.
Children can be tested by a pediatrician or family doctor by a simple blood test to test for lead and provide information about the health affects of lead exposure. The Tucker County Health Department can also provide information on how to have children’s blood tested for lead. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that public health actions be initiated when the level of lead in a child’s blood reaches or exceeds 3.5 micrograms per deciliter, the notice states.
The Town of Davis states that they are following “Federal and/or State lead and copper regulation” regarding the lead in the drinking water.
In addition, the Town states it will be following up with additional public education to all customers by November 20th, are working to determine which corrosion control strategy would be most effective in addressing the situation by October 31st and are removing the lead service lines by the end of 2026. Additional lead and water quality monitoring of the water system supply is being conducted and an increase in lead monitoring is being done to determine the extent of the situation.
The full notice can be found on the Town of Davis website https://daviswv.us or the Town’s Facebook page. Residents are encouraged to contact Frank Sharp for more information at 304-259-5502 or email wateroperator@davis.us.
