City Says Everett Water Virtually Lead Free

April 21, 2016

Everett, Everett Government

lead free

Everett did away with lead water supply pipes years ago.

The City of Everett did away with lead pipes for its water supply years ago and says the water is virtually lead free but in the wake of lead concerns in the Tacoma and Seattle water systems the city will re-test for lead to be sure. Here’s the explanation offered today from Everett Public Works…

Everett Public Works is moving forward with additional water quality testing after lead was found in water lines in Tacoma.

Tacoma Water reported this week that it has found high levels of lead in water samples at water lines leading to four homes in Tacoma, and estimates that about 1,700 of its connections may be at similar risk. Tacoma Water has indicated the high levels may be due to lead pipe used to connect the water main to water meters outside the homes prior to about 1950.

Everett has eliminated lead lines and connections from its water distribution system over the past several decades and has not found high lead levels in any of its water quality sampling for the past 15 years. However, given the Tacoma findings, the City plans to check additional service lines as a precaution.

“Based on the available data, we believe there is virtually no lead in the water we deliver to homes,” said Dave Davis, Everett public works director. “But, to be absolutely sure, we’re going to take another look at homes with old galvanized iron service lines to determine if lead levels are elevated. We’ll report those findings as soon as they are available.”

The Everett water system supplies water to about 570,000 people, or 80 percent of Snohomish County businesses and residents, through a network of local water providers. Click here for more information on the Everett water system.
Everett’s lead testing results

Environmental Protection Agency and state regulations require water systems to monitor for the presence of lead at household taps every three years. Everett conducted its latest round of monitoring in 2015. The EPA standard is a maximum of 15 parts per billion for 90 percent of the samples. The highest level found in the 108 homes Everett tested was 8 parts per billion. The 90th percentile result—the highest result obtained in 90 percent of the samples—was 2 parts per billion.

For information on lead in drinking water, testing methods and steps you can take to minimize exposure to lead, call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791 or visit www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.




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