Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News / Getty Images
Amsterdam residents are being warned about elevated lead levels found in the drinking water of some homes. On Tuesday (September 16), city officials issued a public notice after tests revealed that 10% of the surveyed properties exceeded the action level for lead. This discovery highlights the potential health risks associated with lead exposure, particularly for young children and pregnant women.
According to NEWS10 ABC, the lead contamination is not from the city water mains or the water produced at the filtration plant. Instead, it is believed to originate from lead service lines, plumbing, and fixtures that leach lead into the water. Amsterdam Plant Manager Zach Baxter stated that the city is actively conducting an inventory of service line materials across all properties.
Residents are advised to take precautions such as running their water for several minutes to flush out any lead and replacing plumbing fixtures that contain lead. The city is also replacing lead service lines for low-to-moderate-income homeowners, thanks to a $1.5 million Community Development Block Grant.
For those with questions or concerns, the Montgomery County Public Health Department is available for contact. Additionally, citizens are encouraged to visit the 'Lead Safe Community' website and complete a self-assessment survey to aid in identifying lead services in the city.