Get the Lead Out!
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WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION? Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Information on Lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline GET at 1-800-426-4791 or at www.epa.gov/drink/lead/index.cfm. THE City of Tecumseh Utilities Department LEAD Michigan Department of Billing Department Environmental Quality (MDEQ): Located in City Hall OUT! Community Water Supply Program oversees the 309 East Chicago Boulevard primary EPA program that sets forth minimum Tecumseh, MI 49286 Important standards for safe drinking water as well as Phone: 517-424-6545 administering the requirements of Fax: 517-423-6292 Information Michigan’s Safe Drinking Water Act. http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135- Business Office Hours: about 3313_3675_3691---,00.html Monday – Thursday 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Drinking Closed Friday Water Plant Location and Lead 710 East Chicago Boulevard Tecumseh, MI 49286 Phone: 517-423-0402 American Water Works Association (AWWA): Members have worked to protect consumers against lead in drinking water for many years, creating scores Plant Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. City of Tecumseh of helpful communications, technical and public Monday - Friday Utilities Department policy resources. http://www.awwa.org/resources- tools/water-knowledge/lead.aspx 517-423-0402 Plant www.mytecumseh.org 517-424-6545 Billing HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE LEAD PIPES? Homes built before 1970 could still have some lead plumbing and/or a lead service line- the underground pipe which connects your property to public water mains. Small amounts of lead were also utilized in up until 2011. If you live in an older property, you couldplumbing have solder a lead and supply some pipe fixtures and possibly (exp. brass some valves) lead pipes inside the home. WHY SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT LEAD? Lead Pipes Copper Pipes Lead service lines Traces of lead in your water supply can present a health risk, especially to children under six years old Have your plumbing inspected: How do I know if I have lead pipes? and pregnant women. Children exposed to chronic or Contact a plumber to inspect the plumbing in your home. The City Utilities Department will also inspect the service Homes built before 1970 could still have some lead plumbing and/or a lead service line- the high levels of leadunderground have pipe experienced which connects your propertydevelopmental to public water mains . Small amountsline that of lead comes were from the City’s water main to your home. You can often tell if the service line is made from lead by delays and behavioralalso utilized impacts. in plumbing sol der and some fixtures (exp. brass valves) up until 2011.inspecting If you live in an the older pipe as it enters your home. property, you could have a lead supply pipe and possibly some lead pipes inside the home. To schedule an inspection with the City of Tecumseh Utilities Department call (517) 423-6545. WHAT SHOULDWhy I DOshould IF I worry THINK about lead I ?HAVE LEAD PIPES? Have your waterTraces of leadtested: in your water through supply can presentthe a heaMichiganlth risk, especially to childrenRun under the six years water: old Department of andEnvironmental pregnant women. Children Quality exposed to(MDEQ) chronic or high or levels a of lead have experienced developmental delays and behavioral impacts. has been standing in the pipes. Around 30-seconds to 1 minute should do it, and you can always use this water for What should I do if think I have lead pipes? yourWhen plants. you wake up in the morning or return home after an extended absence, run the tap to flush out any water that submitcertified a waterrequisition Havetesting your form water laboratory. tested: and through pay theWaterthe Michigan associated samples Department fees, canof Environmental Quality (MDEQ) or a certified water testing laboratory. Water samples can be tested for a cost of approx.Use $26.00 bottled. You must water: be tested for a firstcost submit of aapprox. requisition form $26.00. and pay the You associated must fees, first after which a sample bottle will be sent to after which a sample bottle will be sent to your home For drinking water and preparing formula for babies. or place of business.your home or place of business. For more information on water testing,Boiling you can visit the the water does NOT help! Be aware that boiling the water doesn’t remove lead content. MDEQ’s Drinking Water Analysis Laboratory’s website: http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135-3307_4131_4155Replace--- your,00.html pipes: Orders may be e-mailed: [email protected], you decide to replace your lead water pipes, including your underground supply pipe, the City can complete some telephoned: 517-335-8184, faxed: 517-335-8562, or mailed: Water Sample Unit Orders, Dept. of Environmental Quality, PO Box 30270, Lansing, MI 48909. program call the Utilities Department at (517) 423-6545. of this work or provide tips for selecting a qualified contractor. To find out more about the lead pipe replacement WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING LEAD PIPES? IT DEPENDS: on which part of the plumbing is affected. For more information on water testing, you can visit the The City is responsible for the water mains and service leads up to the curb stop or shut-off outside the home. The MDEQ’s Drinking Water Analysis Laboratory’s website: homeowner or resident is responsible for the service line from the curb stop to the house and all of the plumbing http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135- within the house (see diagram). 3307_4131_4155---,00.html If you decide to replace your lead water ORDERS MAY BE E-MAILED: Property Line Curb Stop pipes, including your underground supply (Shut Off) [email protected] pipe, the City may be able to complete some TELEPHONED: 517-335-8184 of this work or provide tips for selecting Water meter Water Main FAXED: 517-335-8562 To find out more Water Service Line OR MAILED: Water Sample Unit Orders about the lead pipe replacement Dept. of Environmental Quality a qualified contractor. program call the Utilities Department Resident pays repair cost City pays repair cost P.O. Box 30270 at (517) 423-6545. Lansing, MI 48909 .