Reports of lead in water disturbing

Reports of water supplies contaminated by lead would raise concerns under any circumstances, but especially now after the scandal that occurred in Flint, Mich. So, it would not be surprising if residents of two subdivisions in York County were alarmed when they learned that amounts of lead in their tap water recently exceeded federal standards.

Foxwood and River Hills, subdivisions in Fort Mill and Lake Wylie, as well as a subdivision in Lexington County recently learned that amounts of lead in their water exceeded federal safety standards, according to Jan. 27 test results. All three communities are served by Carolina Water Service, which conducted the tests.

Follow-up tests since then showed that lead levels have fallen to within safe limits, but the water service now is required to begin testing the water more frequently for lead and other contaminants to prevent future problems. Altogether, about 3,500 customers are affected, with the majority living in River Hills.

This situation bears little real resemblance to the scandal in Flint, where lead levels rose to dangerous levels after state government officials switched to a different water supplier to save money. Then, even after being warned by federal Environmental Protection Agency officials of the hazard, state officials failed to act or to inform residents for months.

In Flint, which consists mostly of low-income black residents, the effects of lead contamination in the water, especially on children who drank the water, might not be fully known for years. Severe lead poisoning can cause brain damage, learning disabilities, kidney problems and nervous system disorders.

But even small amounts of ingested lead can be hazardous. And if amounts in public tap water exceed federal standards, customers have a right to be concerned.

In both Flint and the York County subdivisions, the lead in the water came from lead pipes or lead solder in the supply system that was leached by the water. Carolina Water officials said customers should let water run for about 30 seconds before drinking it, particularly if sinks have not been used in a while.

Karen Summers, general manager of the River Hills Community Association at Lake Wylie has called this a “non-issue.” She notes that the problem is in the pipes, not the water supply.

But that might not be too comforting to customers, especially those with small children. This could spark a run on water filtering devices in these communities.

But in at least one respect, Summers is right. The problem of lead in the infrastructure that brings water into the home, much of it constructed when the use of lead pipes and lead solder was permitted, will not go away completely until those pipes are replaced.

The appalling scandal in Flint has helped raise awareness nationwide about the potential for contamination of the public drinking water supply. Residents who rely on public water need to be cognizant of the risk and hold public officials accountable for overseeing and ensuring the safety of the water supply.

That doesn’t mean all tap water is dangerous or all governments who provide water to the public are negligent. But considering the test results in the three subdivisions, it pays to be on guard.

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 6:25 PM with the headline "Reports of lead in water disturbing."