SPU tested water in a small percentage of older Seattle homes with galvanized piping. Results showed lead levels well below allowable federal limits.
Seattle Public Utilities released the results yesterday. From KOMO:
“This sampling protocol was much more extensive than the standard federal test, and should give customers an added sense of confidence in their water,” said SPU Drinking Water Quality Manager Wylie Harper.
The alarm rang Wednesday when officials in Tacoma found that water in four homes were above the allowable lead limits.
Tacoma officials attribute the presence of lead in their water to sections of pipes known as “goosenecks.” On the city website, the pieces of lead pipe are described as having been used between 1900 and 1940 to connect the water main to customers’ service lines.
In the wake of that finding, Seattle Public Utilities asked all Seattle residents to run water for two minutes before drinking it, as a precaution.
The utility tested five older homes that have the potentially suspect galvanized pipes, and so-called gooseneck fittings between the water main and the home. After allowing the water to sit overnight, they tested samples.
The highest lead level was 1.95 parts per billion (ppb), well below the federal limit of 15 ppb, according to SPU.
“Seattle Public Utilities is in compliance with U.S. Department of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations,” said Derek Pell of the Washington State Department of Health’s (DOH) Office of Drinking Water.
The Seattle water supplier also posted an interactive map to allow homeowners to determine what kind of material – copper, plastic or galvanized steel – the service line that supplies their homes.
