Section 611.APPENDIX F   Mandatory Lead Public Education Information for Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems

1)         INTRODUCTION

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and (insert name of water supplier) are concerned about lead in your drinking water.  Some drinking water samples taken from this facility have lead levels above the USEPA action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb), or 0.015 milligrams of lead per liter of water (mg/ℓ).  Under Federal law we are required to have a program in place to minimize lead in your drinking water by (insert date when corrosion control will be completed for your system).  This program includes corrosion control treatment, source water treatment, and public education.  We are also required to replace the portion of each lead service line that we own if the line contributes lead concentrations of more than 15 ppb after we have completed the comprehensive treatment program. If you have any questions about how we are carrying out the requirements of the lead regulation please give us a call at (insert water system's phone number).  This brochure explains the simple steps you can take to protect you and your family by reducing your exposure to lead in drinking water.

2)         HEALTH EFFECTS OF LEAD

Lead is found throughout the environment in lead-based paint; air; soil; household dust; food; certain types of pottery, porcelain, and pewter; and water.  Lead can pose a significant risk to your health if too much of it enters your body.  Lead builds up in the body over many years and can cause damage to the brain, red blood cells, and kidneys.  The greatest risk is to young children and pregnant women.  Amounts of lead that won't hurt adults can slow down normal mental and physical development of growing bodies.  In addition, a child at play often comes into contact with sources of lead contamination – like dirt and dust – that rarely affect an adult.  It is important to wash children's hands and toys often, and to try to make sure they only put food in their mouths.

3)         LEAD IN DRINKING WATER

A)        Lead in drinking water, although rarely the sole cause of lead poisoning, can significantly increase a person's total lead exposure, particularly the exposure of infants who drink baby formulas and concentrated juices that are mixed with water.  The EPA estimates that drinking water can make up 20 percent or more of a person's total exposure to lead.

B)        Lead is unusual among drinking water contaminants in that it seldom occurs naturally in water supplies like rivers and lakes.  Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of the corrosion, or wearing away, of materials containing lead in the water distribution system and household plumbing.  These materials include lead-based solder used to join copper pipe, brass, and chrome plated brass faucets, and in some cases, pipes made of lead that connect houses and buildings to the water main (service lines).  In 1986, Congress banned the use of lead solder containing greater than 0.2% lead, and restricted the lead content of faucets, pipes, and other plumbing materials to 8.0%.

C)        When water stands in lead pipes or plumbing systems containing lead for several hours or more, the lead may dissolve into your drinking water. This means the first water drawn from the tap in the morning, or later in the afternoon after returning from work or school, can contain fairly high levels of lead.

4)         STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO LEAD IN DRINKING WATER

A)        Let the water run from the tap before using it for drinking or cooking any time the water in a faucet has gone unused for more than six hours.  The longer water resides in plumbing the more lead it may contain.  Flushing the tap means running the cold water faucet until the water gets noticeably colder, usually about 15-30 seconds.  Although toilet flushing or showering flushes water through a portion of the plumbing system, you still need to flush the water in each faucet before using it for drinking or cooking.  Flushing tap water is a simple and inexpensive measure you can take to protect your family's health.  It usually uses less than one gallon.

B)        Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap.  Hot water can dissolve more lead more quickly than cold water.  If you need hot water, draw water from the cold tap and heat it.

C)        The steps described above will reduce the lead concentrations in your drinking water.  However, if you are still concerned, you may wish to use bottled water for drinking and cooking.

D)        You can consult a variety of sources for additional information.  Your family doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood test for lead and provide you with information about the health effects of lead.  State and local government agencies that can be contacted include the following:

i)          (Insert the name or title of facility official if appropriate) at (insert phone number) can provide you with information about your facility's water supply; and

ii)         The Illinois Department of Public Health at 217-782-4977 or 312-814-2608 or the (insert the name of the city or county health department) at (insert phone number) can provide you with information about the health effects of lead.

BOARD NOTE: Derived from 40 CFR 141.85(a)(2) (2011).  The Department of Public Health (Department) regulates non-community water supplies, including non-transient, non-community water supplies.  The Department has incorporated this Part into its regulations at 77 Ill. Adm. Code 900.15(a)(2)(A) and 900.20(k)(2).  Thus, the Board has included the notice language of 40 CFR 141.85(a)(2) in this Section for the purposes of facilitating federal review and authorization of the Illinois drinking water regulations.

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 7110, effective April 25, 2012)