Elevated lead levels found in Fulda's drinking water

The City of Fulda has found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes/buildings. 

Individuals who have had their home or building tested should receive or may have already received these results. Results are specific to each home or building and may be different from results taken in other locations. 

Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. The lead action level is a measure of the effectiveness of the corrosion control treatment in water systems. The action level is not a standard for establishing a safe level of lead in a home. 

To check if corrosion control is working, EPA requires water systems to test for lead at the tap in certain homes, including those with lead service lines. Systems compare sample results from homes to EPA’s action level. If 10 percent of the samples from these homes have water concentrations that are greater than the action level, then the system must perform actions such as public education, adjusting treatment and lead service line replacement.

Between Sept. 1-30, 10 samples were taken and analyzed for lead. The results of more than 10 percent of our samples exceeded the action level for lead.

The City of Fulda is focused on protecting the health of every household in the community. However, lead from service lines and lead plumbing and fixtures can dissolve or break off into water and end up at the faucet. Based on the site plan for water sampling, it was found that copper with lead solder internal plumbing is the potential source of lead in the city's drinking water.

This does not mean that every property that receives drinking water from the City of Fulda has lead in the drinking water. It does mean that citizens should understand how to reduce their exposure to lead through water. It should also be noted that drinking water is not the only potential source of lead exposure, since lead can be found in air, soil, and paint. 

For more information on all sources of lead, visit https://www.epa.gov/lead).