The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) is a regulation established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect public health by reducing lead and copper levels in drinking water. Lead and copper can leach into drinking water from pipes and plumbing materials, posing serious health risks, especially for children and pregnant women. Lead exposure can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system, while copper in high amounts can cause stomach problems and liver or kidney damage. The City of Lavonia is monitoring these levels incompliance with these regulations.
Key Points of the Lead and Copper Rule:
Water Testing: Water utilities must regularly test water at homes and buildings for lead and copper levels. If more than 10% of sampled homes exceed the EPA’s action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) for lead or 1.3 parts per million (ppm) for copper, actions are required.
Corrosion Control: Utilities must take steps to reduce the corrosiveness of water, which helps prevent lead and copper from leaching from pipes.
Public Notification and Education: If unsafe levels of lead or copper are detected, utilities must inform the public and take corrective actions. They must also provide education about the risks of lead in drinking water and ways to reduce exposure.
Lead Service Line Replacement: If lead levels exceed the action level, utilities may be required to replace lead service lines that connect homes to water mains.
The LCR aims to minimize the public's exposure to lead and copper, ensuring safer drinking water and protecting public health. Click here (120Water - Public Water System Service Lines (120wateraudit.com))to see our listing with EPA.
To learn more about this rule please visit: https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/lead-and-copper-rule
Health effects of lead:
Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney, or nervous system problems.
From source to tap, the City of Lavonia performs tests throughout the system each day to ensure that your drinking water meets all state and federal requirements. While lead is a common, naturally occurring metal found in the environment, it seldom occurs naturally in water supplies. Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of the corrosion or wearing away of materials containing lead that are in plumbing.
Steps you can take to reduce lead in drinking water.
Below are recommended actions that you may take, separately or in combination, if you are concerned about lead in your drinking water. The list also includes where you may find more information and is not intended to be a complete list or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead in drinking water.
Use filters properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, EPA has developed a https://www.epa.gov/water-research/consumer-tool-identifying-point-use-and-pitcher-filters-certified-reduce-lead.
Clean your aerator. Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
Use cold water. Do not use hot water from 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 has been sitting in pipes providing water to your home, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your 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 your home. Residents may contact us at 706-356-8781 for recommendations about flushing times in their community.