The town is warning residents on Greenville’s public water system of instances of elevated levels of lead have been found in some households Greenville Water Department samples.
According to a notice posted on the town’s website, 10% of lead sample results are above the action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 parts per billion) which are allowed in drinking water, with the average reading being 0.056 (56 parts per billion) in test samples taken from June 5 through 13.
Lead can enter water supplies due to corrosion of lead pipes or fixtures, either in the water distribution piping or in household plumbing. Common sources include lead-based solder used to join copper piping (a practice used through 1989), leaded and chrome-plated brass faucets that were available through 2014, and gooseneck connectors and service lines used through the 1950s to connect homes to the water system.
The Environmental Protection Agency requires water systems to test for lead at the tap in certain homes, including those with lead service lines or known lead solder, those that are at the most risk for elevated levels of lead. If 10% of samples from these homes have water concentrations that are greater than the action level of 15 parts per billion, the water system must engage in actions including public notice, adjusting treatment methods or replacing service lines.
Town Administrator Tara Sousa said this kind of testing typically happens ever three years. This spring’s testing was done ahead of schedule, due to past elevated lead readings that were taken in the fall. The testing in June required testing for a greater number of homes. Twenty homes were sampled, and seven showed elevated lead levels, Sousa said. She said that the elevated results were not from any one particular street or neighborhood, and the remaining samples showed either no lead or an amount well within allowed parameters.
Sousa said the town is working with DES to determine a plan for treatment, which she said may include changing the treatment plan for the water to reduce corrosion of pipes as the water travels through.
“There’s a number of things that could be impacting this” Sousa said. “We will explore those options with DES. We know from samples that showed little to no lead contamination that it’s not a source issue, it is a plumbing issue.”
Sousa said the town has already been involved in identifying the materials used in its water system, as part of a national effort to inventory service lines, though only a small number of lines – between 15 and 20 – have been confirmed. She said that of those that have been identified, there have been no lead lines, but there have been galvanized copper lines which may use lead solder. She said anyone interested in having their lines identified should contact the town office.
“We have a lot of unknowns in our system,” Sousa said.
Lead exposure can cause serious health effects, including impacts to infant and children IQ and attention span, learning and behavior problems, and adverse health effects of children exposed to lead during their mother’s pregnancy. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.
While under an elevated lead advisory, residents should 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.
People should use cold water and flush their taps every morning or after extended periods of non-use for at least one minute or until the water runs cold. Water residing in plumbing for extended periods of time may contain more lead. Flushing the tab ensures using fresh water that has not been in sustained contact with lead in the plumbing.
Sousa said advisories allow for hot water for bathing or showering, cleaning or washing clothes if no water is swallowed.
Residents are encouraged to learn what their service line material is and be aware of construction in their area which could disturb their service lines. Contact the town office at 603-878-2084 for information about how to learn about service line material or construction. Sousa said currently, there are no main replacements happening in town that may disturb lines.
People can contact a New Hampshire certified lab to have water tested. General cost is $15 to $25 depending on the lab you choose.
People who are pregnant or have specific health concerns may wish to consult their health care professional. General health-related questions may be directed to the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791. General guidelines on ways to reduce the risk from lead in drinking water are available from EPA’s website, epa.gov.
For additional information, contact Sousa at 603-878-2084 or administrator@greenvillenh.org.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.