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GUC Helps Health Department Win Award

The Pitt County Health Department recently received an award for its Child Lead Poisoning Prevention program from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation. The Foundation was looking for outstanding collaborative programs that affect the health of children. Emily Robertson, Pitt County Environmental Health Program Specialist, credits Greenville Utilities as their leading partner in this program, which was developed in 2005.

During that time, Greenville Utilities faced a unique challenge when more than 10% of samples taken for lead testing at customers’ water taps exceeded the EPA action level of 15 parts per billion. As a result, GUC worked closely with Pitt County Health Department and other experts to resolve the issue.  Part of the collaborative effort included extensive public education and updates throughout the correction process.

“I admire the leadership that was provided by the Pitt County Health Department and Greenville Utilities and the cooperation that was shared in public notification, education and water sampling,” Emily said. “The media coverage of this event kept the public informed and let them know what their local utility was doing to find a solution. This award belongs to Greenville Utilities as much as it does to us.”