During a Nov. 14 Buncombe County Briefing, Water Resources representative Clay Chandler reported that testing had revealed the presence of lead in the water at several area elementary schools due to lead presence in privately-owned pipes.
Asheville water is being tested regularly for aluminum, iron, chlorine, manganese, total coliform and E. coli. These results are posted on the water services recovery website and updated in real time by lab staff. An investigative sampling program tested for lead and copper at city and county elementary schools, participating child care facilities and private schools. copper coil t1
The results, which were returned Nov. 7, showed the presence of lead at seven schools in the Asheville City and Buncombe County schools systems, as well as at one private school. This was due to lead presence in privately-owned pipes and a temporary lack of corrosion control post-Helene. Here's what else we know.
Due to the piping configuration at North Fork, the Water Resources Department was unable to treat raw reservoir water with zinc orthophosphate, which provides corrosion control in pipes, for about 19 days following Tropical Storm Helene.
Corrosion control treatment returned when turbidity levels at North Fork lowered enough to resume pushing treated water into the distribution system, two weeks ago on Oct. 30. Investigative lead and copper sampling samples were collected from 25 points throughout the distribution system between Oct. 17-24.
Water resources received the last of the results from a third party contract lab Nov. 8. While no copper was detectable, seven schools tested revealed detectable lead levels due to lead content in privately owned piping.
This does not indicate the presence of lead in the water supply, but rather the presence of lead in pipes that was able to leach into water due to the 19 days in which Water Resources was unable to treat pipes with corrosion control.
Buncombe County Schools elementary schools where lead was detected:
Asheville City Schools elementary schools where lead was detected:
The one private school where lead was detected was Odyssey Community School.
City and county school systems and participating child care facilities were notified after results were returned. Students have not consumed the tap water at any of these schools.
Schools will keep water fountains closed off and unplugged, and the Environmental Protection Agency has provided guidance that includes the installation of National Sanitation Foundation-certified filters designed specifically to reduce lead. Guidance also includes replacing any plumbing or fixtures that may increase chances of lead exposure, particularly anything installed before 1988.
Following the discovery of lead, the Asheville water officials have explained that any water being boiled for use should be run from faucets for 30-120 seconds, or until you can feel a temperature change in the water, before collection.
This "flushing" protocol is a short-term solution to avoid potential lead and copper presence in water. Lead and copper may be found in water that has been in pipes for 4-6 hours, especially in plumbing installed prior to 1988.
Using bottled water as your only source of drinking water is still suggested.
More:Asheville's North Fork Water Treatment Plant; What happened to the 'pristine' reservoir?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, even low levels of lead can negatively impact a child's health, and it is important to protect children from exposure to lead for lifelong good health.
According to the CDC, adverse effects from lead exposure include:
The CDC says those effects can lead to issues such as:
If you have consumed tap water or used it for cooking purposes and are pregnant, breastfeeding and/or have a child under 6 years old and would like to be tested for lead, reach out to your primary care provider or Buncombe County Health Department for assistance.
BCPH has also set up a Blood Lead Information Line for health care providers and the public to call with any questions or concerns. To reach the information line, call 828-250-5205 and leave a message to be contacted by a public health nurse as soon as possible.
Private residents can receive information on testing service lines for lead, as well free test kits, by calling 828-259-5962 or emailing leadprevention@ashevillenc.gov.
Water resources will resample schools and private residences at one month, three months and six months from Oct. 30, when corrosion control treatment was reinstated.
ac copper wire Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.