Pitt County Health Department Lead Advisory
In May 2005 the Pitt County Health Department issued a lead advisory following the investigation of two Greenville children, on Greenville Utilities’ (GUC’s) water system, with elevated blood lead levels. Routine blood lead testing identified two children whose only apparent exposure to lead was attributed to the plumbing system leaching lead into the tap water. An extensive investigation found fragments of lead solder in the faucet strainer/aerator in the home.
No other cases of elevated lead levels in children have been linked to tap water in Pitt County thus far. The advisory has remained in effect because GUC water samples taken in 2004 and 2005 exceeded U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulations for lead. Click here for details.
We are pleased to report that the latest GUC water sample results indicate that Greenville Utilities is in compliance with EPA regulations. Samples collected from customers’ taps in October/November 2006 were well within EPA limits. Federal regulations require that no more than 10% of the tap samples collected can exceed the EPA “Action Level” of 15 parts per billion (ppb) for lead. Only 6% of GUC recent samples were more than 15 ppb. The drinking water lead advisory will remain in effect until two consecutive compliance sample events meet the EPA Action Level requirement.
The Health Department’s advisory will remain in effect until two consecutive sampling events are in compliance with EPA regulations. The advisory recommends that if you get your water from Greenville Utilities and you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a child under age six in your home, you should …
- Call 551-1551 to get your water tested. GUC is offering this test free of charge for their customers.
- Use bottled water for drinking, cooking, making baby formula, making ice, and brushing your teeth until you can get your water tested and you are told the water is safe.
- Call your doctor or child’s doctor to get a blood lead screening test. The Health Department also provides this test. Call the Health Department’s appointment line at 902-2449 if you want to get this test from the Health Department. This is a simple fingerstick test. Children ages one and two should get this test as part of their health check-ups.
Safe Water Tips for All Water Users …
- Run water through your facet each day before drinking it or using it for cooking. After water has been sitting in the pipes for more than six hours (usually in the morning), run your cold water for two to four minutes before using it to drink or cook. Throughout the day, run the water for a minute before drinking the water.
- Use only water from your COLD water faucet for drinking and cooking. Hot water can have more lead in it that cold water. If you need hot water, heat cold water on the stove.
- Boiling your water will not get rid of or reduce the amount of lead in your water.
- Remove and clean strainers from your faucets/spigots several times a year.
For information on lead screening for children, contact the Pitt County Health Department at (252) 902-2300.
Lead Fact Sheet
What You Should Know About Lead and Drinking Water