Elevated lead levels in Flint, Mich., drinking water heightened our attention to drinking water quality. A 2014 Pennsylvania Department of Health annual report revealed that Pennsylvania children have higher blood lead concentrations than children in Flint. Despite this data, the risk of lead exposure through drinking water in Pennsylvania is not similar to that in Flint.

In Flint, the drinking water source was changed in April 2014 from Lake Huron to the Flint River. The river water proved to be much more corrosive and the public noticed the difference. Water that is corrosive will more readily leach metals from pipes, and discoloration of the water or staining of fixtures is often observed. 

State and federal laws require water treatment plants to employ corrosion control measures to limit lead leaching from pipes. Authorities in Flint did not address the increased corrosive character of the river water.

In Pennsylvania, on Feb. 8, the Department of Environmental Protection indicated that drinking water is not the cause of high lead levels reported in the 2014 annual report.

Lead may still be in your household plumbing system. To minimize lead concentrations, let your water run for a minute before using it and use cold water for cooking and drinking. Have your water tested by a local laboratory for around $20 if you are concerned. Certified laboratories can be found at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection website.

Learning from but not being alarmed by the experience in Flint is important. We should be proactive in the maintenance of our homes and the habits we maintain to ensure the high quality of our drinking water.

HOLLY FREDERICK
Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering and Earth Science
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

First Published: March 2, 2016, 5:00 a.m.