Lead Leaching News Release

Davidson Water, Inc. has never been out of compliance with the EPA and regulating agencies on lead and copper rules, nor are we out of compliance now. We have been testing our water system for lead since 1992, at multiple locations. This testing was initially done at these locations yearly and, upon favorable testing results, our regulating agencies allowed testing intervals to be increased to three years at these testing locations.

The water distributed throughout our system is free of lead, and is therefore not the source of the lead. The issue with lead stems from certain older homes that utilized certain types of plumbing fixtures and construction. Davidson Water, Inc. does not know, nor maintain records, which indicate what types of plumbing was allowed to be used in individual homes. So therefore we have no method to determine whether or not lead solder was used in a particular home’s plumbing system. Local health departments are offering free testing kits for those determined to be at risk.

The lead issue stems from water that remains in contact with lead solder on fittings in household fixtures and household plumbing. This is common with some older homes that had household plumbing used in conjunction with lead solder. The lead used in the solder can leach into the water, even without other chemicals present, if the water sits in the household lines for an extended period of time. In fact we are adding a corrosion inhibitor to help prevent the issue of lead leaching into the water.

Davidson Water, Inc. and local health departments have worked together closely to inform the general public through the news release that was distributed to all major news media. There is no lead in the water coming from Davidson Water. The news release issued by the health department advised customers that if the plumbing at their homes contain lead there is a possibility of lead leaching into water that has set idle in their pipes for six hours or more. You can reduce the chance of exposure by using the following steps. Children under the age of 6 and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant are most affected by lead exposure. If your home was built after 1985 your pipe work should not contain lead solder. Although, some faucets could contain a percentage of lead. By running the water for 10 – 15 seconds you can pull through good water. If your home was built before 1986, anytime the water has been standing in the pipes for more than 6 hours you may want to run the water for two minutes before using for cooking or drinking.

• Use water only from the cold water faucet for cooking and drinking. Hot water can dissolve lead more quickly than cold water. Boiling water does not remove lead and can actually increase lead in the water.
  
  
• Run water through your faucet before you drink it. If it has been six hours or more since you have used water in that faucet, run the cold water for 2-4 minutes before drinking or using in drinks or food. This moves out the water that has been sitting in the pipes. When you are using the water more often than six hours, just run the cold water for one minute.
  
  
• Remove the strainer or aerator that is screwed to your faucet end and clean it with soap and water. Make a point to do this on a regular schedule.
  
  

The health department is also offering lead testing to people that would like to have their water checked.

Health Department Phone Numbers

• Davidson County 242-2310
• Forsyth County 703-3130
• Randolph County 318-6262