Dear Concerned Citizen,
Please review the attached information regarding Lead and Copper.
We will be mailing this information to all Water Customers today, 6-30-2021, since the Town’s water system
did not achieve a 90% pass rate of the sites sampled. (20 locations sampled).
This mailing plus other notifications are required, until such time as the water system demonstrates
compliance with the 90% pass rate.
We are also required to perform additional water testing, and water quality criteria to provide/produce a water that is not corrosive
to metallic fixtures, in the home owners plumbing system.
Most Lead and Copper compliance issues are typically corrected by maintaining a consistent and correct amount of lime
injected into the water to maintain a pH of 7.2 – 7.4 (standard units).
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Town Hall at 850-256-3208, Monday thru Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
PUBLIC EDUCATION LETTER
Dear Water Customer
Re: Town of Century Lead and Copper Information
Some homes in this community have elevated lead levels in their drinking water. Lead can pose a significant risk to your health. Please read the information below for further information.
What Does This Mean?
Under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set the action level for lead in drinking water at 0.015 parts per million. This means utilities must ensure that water from the customer’s tap does not exceed this level in at least 90 percent of the homes sampled (90th percentile value). The action level is the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. If water from the tap does exceed this limit, then the utility must take certain steps to correct the problem. Because lead may pose serious health risks, the EPA set a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of zero for lead. The MCLG is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
We are taking a number of steps to correct the problem. We will begin sampling for lead every six months so we can closely monitor the lead levels in our water system. Your continued participation and support in our lead tap monitoring program is very important. In addition, we will initiate a Public Education campaign to ensure our customers know about the action level exceedance, understand the health effects of lead, the sources of lead and actions they can take to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. We will also monitor our source water and initiate controls to reduce the corrosivity of water as corrosive water can cause lead to leach from plumbing materials that contain lead.
What Are the Health Effects of Lead?
Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones, and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother‘s bones, which may affect brain development.
What Are the Sources of Lead?
Lead is a common metal found in the environment. Drinking water is one possible source of lead exposure. The main sources of lead exposure are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust or soil, and some plumbing materials. In addition, lead can be found in certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, food, and cosmetics. Other sources include exposure in the workplace from certain hobbies (lead can be carried on clothing or shoes). Lead is found in some toys, some playground equipment, and some children’s metal jewelry.
Brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free”, may contribute lead to drinking water. The law currently establishes the definition for “lead-free” as the weighted average of 0.25% lead calculated across the wetted surfaces of a pipe, pipe fitting, plumbing fitting, and fixture and 0.2% lead for solder and flux. NSF International certifies plumbing products; consumers may wish to visit their website at www.nsf.org or call 800-NSF-MARK for information when choosing plumbing.
The Town of Century does not have any lead in its source water or water mains in the street. When water is in contact for several hours with pipes or plumbing that contains lead, the lead may enter the drinking water. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have plumbing containing lead. New homes may also have lead; even “lead-free” plumbing may contain some lead.
EPA estimates that 10 to 20 percent of a person’s potential exposure to lead may come from drinking water. Infants who consume mostly formula mixed with lead-containing water can receive 40 to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water.
Lead is not only found in drinking water; other sources of lead include paint, dust, and soil. Wash your children’s hands and toys often, as they can come into contact with dirt and dust containing lead.
What Can I Do to Reduce Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water?
Run your water to flush out lead. If water hasn’t been used in several hours, run water for 15-30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes lead-containing water from the pipes.
Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Do not use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula.
Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
Look for alternative sources or treatment of water. You may want to consider purchasing a water filter or bottled water. Read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead or contact NSF International at 800-NSF-MARK or www.nsf.org for information on performance standards for water filters. To help maximize water quality, be sure to maintain and replace a filter device in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Test your water for lead. If you think you may have elevated lead levels in your home drinking water, have it tested. Call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 for more information, or contact Future Labs, Inc., located at 5756 Stewart Street, Milton, FL 32570, Phone: (850) 623-6110 to request lead testing in your drinking water.
Get your child’s blood tested. If you are concerned about exposure to lead, contact your local health department or health care provider to find out how you can get your child tested.
Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead. Brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free”, may contribute to lead in your drinking water. The law currently establishes the definition for “lead-free” as the weighted average of 0.25% lead calculated across the wetted surfaces of a pipe, pipe fitting, plumbing fitting, and fixture and 0.2% lead for solder and flux. Visit the NSF International website at www.nsf.org to learn more about lead-containing plumbing fixtures.
For More Information
Call us at (850) 256-3208, or visit our website at www.townofcenturyflorida.com. For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s website at www.epa.gov/lead, visit the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s lead in drinking water website at https://floridadep.gov/water/source-drinking-water/content/monitoring-l…, call the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-LEAD, or contact your health care provider.
Town of Century Water System---State Water System ID: 1170613
Distribution Date of Notice: June 29, 2021