Filter Distribution
The Washtenaw County Health Department in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is providing free, lead-reducing water filters to Village households with children or pregnant women who receive WIC benefits, Medicaid insurance, or cannot afford a water filter (filters cost about $35 and their replacement cartridges cost about $15). Filters will be available to these households at the Village Hall, 912 City Rd, between 8:30am and 4:00pm starting Friday, October 22nd.
PUR Lead-Reducing Water Filter and Replacement Cartridge Request Form
Documents:
By the Numbers
Out of approximately 800 total water service lines in the Village of Manchester, 106 were found to contain lead or galvanized materials. Of these 106, 19 have been replaced to date.
In 2021, under new sampling methods, the Village conducted 19 lead and copper tests at residences with known lead/galvanized service lines. 7 of the 19 residences tested were identified with lead exceeding the new action level. 3 of these lines have been replaced.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD IN YOUR DRINKING WATER
The Village of Manchester has exceeded the action level for lead. Lead can cause serious health and development problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Please read this information closely to see what you can do to reduce lead in your drinking water.
This notice is brought to you by the Village of Manchester
Water Supply Serial Number: 04020
Distribution Date: 11/19/2021
Health Effects of Lead
Lead can cause serious health and development problems. 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. Although other sources of lead exposure exist, such as lead paint, and lead contaminated dust, the Village of Manchester is contacting you to reduce your risk of exposure to lead in drinking water. If you have questions about other sources of lead exposure, please contact the Washtenaw County Health Department at (734)222-3800.
Sources of Lead
Lead is a common metal found in the environment. Drinking water is one possible source of lead exposure due to the widespread use of lead in plumbing materials. EPA estimates that drinking water can make up 20 percent or more of a person’s potential exposure to lead. Infants who consume mostly mixed formula can receive 40 percent to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water.
The action level is 15 parts per billion (ppb) for lead and 1.3 parts per million (ppm) for copper. The action level is a measure of corrosion control effectiveness. It is not a health-based standard. To meet the requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule, 90 percent of the samples collected must be below the action level. The following table summarizes the lead and copper data collected during the most recent monitoring period:
Most Recent Sampling Information
| Action Levels | 90th Percentile Value | Range of results
(minimum-maximum) |
# of samples used for 90th Percentile |
| Lead 15 parts per billion (ppb) | 31 ppb | 0-72 ppb | 19 |
| Copper 1.3 parts per million (ppm) | 0.3 ppm | 0.0-0.8 ppm | 19 |
Lead can enter drinking water when pipes, solder, home/building interior plumbing, fittings and fixtures that contain lead corrode. Corrosion is the dissolving, or wearing away, of metal caused by a chemical reaction between water and your plumbing. Several factors affect the amount of lead that enters the water, including the water quality characteristics (acidity and alkalinity), the amount of lead in the pipes, plumbing and/or fixtures, and the frequency of water use in the home.
Some plumbing products such as service lines, pipes and fixtures may contain lead. The infographic below demonstrates where sources of lead in drinking water could be in your home. Older homes may have more lead unless the service line and/or plumbing has been replaced. Homes built…
- Before the 1960s are more likely to have lead service lines, lead pipes, fixtures, and/or solder that contain lead.
- Before 1988 are likely to have fixtures and/or solder that contains lead.
- Between 1996 and 2014 are likely to have fixtures that contain up to eight percent lead but were labelled “lead-free.”
- In 2014 or later still have potential lead exposure. “Lead free” was redefined to reduce lead content to a maximum of 0.25 percent lead in fixtures and fittings. Fixtures that are certified to meet NSF Standard 61 meet this more restrictive definition of “lead free.”
Leaded solder and leaded fittings and fixtures are still available in stores to use for non-drinking water applications. Be careful to select the appropriate products for repairing or replacing drinking water plumbing in your home.
Galvanized plumbing can be a potential source of lead. Galvanized plumbing can absorb lead from upstream sources like a lead service line. Even after the lead service line has been removed, galvanized plumbing can continue to release lead into drinking water over time. Homes that are served by a lead service line should consider replacing galvanized plumbing inside the home.
Drinking water is only one source of lead exposure. Other common sources of lead exposure are lead-based paint, and lead-contaminated dust or soil. Because lead can be carried on hands, clothing, and/or shoes, sources of exposure to lead can include the workplace and certain hobbies. Wash your children’s hands and toys often as they can come in contact with dirt and dust containing lead. In addition, lead can be found in certain types of pottery, pewter, food, and cosmetics. If you have questions about other sources of lead exposure, please contact the Washtenaw County Health Department at (734) 222-3800.
Particulate Lead
Lead results can vary between tests. A single test result is not a reliable indicator of drinking water safety. Two different types of lead can be present in drinking water, soluble lead and particulate lead. Soluble lead is lead that dissolves because of a chemical reaction between water and plumbing that contains lead. Particulate lead is dislodged scale and sediment released into the water from the sides of the plumbing and can vary greatly between samples. Disturbances, such as replacing a water meter, construction and excavation activities, or home plumbing repairs can cause particulates to shake free from inside pipes and plumbing. Particulate lead is a concern because the lead content can be very high. Lead particulate could be present in a single glass of water, but not present in water sampled just before or after. During construction, monthly aerator cleaning and using a filter certified to reduce lead are recommended to reduce particulate lead exposure.
Check whether your home has a lead service line.
Homes with lead service lines have an increased risk of having high lead levels in drinking water. Please contact the Village of Manchester at (734)428-7877 for more information about your home’s service line.
Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Your Water
- Run your water to flush out lead. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Therefore, if your water has not been used for several hours, run the water before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes lead-containing water from the pipes.
- If you do not have a lead service line, run the water for 30 seconds to two minutes, or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature.
- If you do have a lead service line, run the water for at least five minutes to flush water from both the interior building plumbing and the lead service line.
Additional flushing may be required for homes that have been vacant or have a longer service line. Your water utility can help you determine if longer flushing times are needed.
- Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water.
- Use cold water for preparing baby formula. Do not use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula. If you have a lead service line, consider using bottled water or a filter certified to reduce lead to prepare baby formula.
- Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead levels.
- Everyone can consider using a filter to reduce lead in drinking water. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommends that any household with a child or pregnant woman use a certified lead filter to reduce lead from their drinking water. Look for filters that are tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction. Some filter options include a pour-through pitcher or faucet-mount systems. If the label does not specifically mention lead reduction, check the Performance Data Sheet included with the device. Be sure to maintain and replace the filter device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to protect water quality. If your household has a child or pregnant woman and are not able to afford the cost of a lead filter, please contact your County Health Department or visit the Manchester Village offices at 912 City Road.
- Consider purchasing bottled water. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water. The bottled water standard for lead is 5 ppb.
- Get your child tested. Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about exposure. Washtenaw County Health Department at (734)222-3800.
- Identify older plumbing fixtures that likely contain lead. Older faucets, fittings, and valves sold before 2014 may contain higher levels of lead, even if marked “lead-free.” Faucets, fittings, and valves sold after January 2014 are required to meet a more restrictive “lead-free” definition but may still contain up to 0.25 percent lead. When purchasing new plumbing materials, it is important to look for materials that are certified to meet NSF standard 61. The EPA prepared a brochure that explains the various markings that can indicate that materials meet the new “lead free” definition: https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi?Dockey=P100LVYK.txt.
- Clean your aerator. The aerator on the end of your faucet is a screen that will catch debris. This debris could include particulate lead. The aerator should be removed at least every six months to rinse out any debris.
- Test your water for lead. Call us at (734) 428-7877 to find out how to get your water tested for lead. The Washtenaw County Health Department (734) 222-3800 and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (844) 934-1315 provide testing services.
What Happened? What is Being Done?
The lead and copper monitoring program for the Village of Manchester began in the early 90’s and has been conducted every three years without any action level exceedance (ALE) since its inception.
Beginning in 2019, MI-EGLE changed the method for collecting lead and copper drinking water samples to include a more in-depth procedure. These changes require communities, including Manchester, with lead service lines, to do additional sampling. This new sampling method is expected to result in higher lead results, not because the water source or quality for residents has changed, rather, because the Act has more stringent sampling procedures and analysis. This targeted approach leads to a more accurate representation of where lead can be found in a home’s drinking water.
Using the new sampling methods in 2021, 19 of the 108 homes with lead or galvanized lines were tested, and seven homes showed lead exceeding the Action Level. There were no elevated copper results. While these results do not mean that every customer has elevated lead levels, when more than 10% of the samples have elevated levels everyone should learn about how lead gets into drinking water any ways to reduce their exposure. The Village does not have lead in its water mains, but some residents do have service lines that contain lead or galvanized pipe. Lead can enter drinking water when it is in contact with service lines, pipes, solder, home/building interior plumbing, fittings and fixtures that contain lead.
The Village is following the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act’s protocols that include replacing lead and galvanized service lines at an average rate of 5% per year for 20 years beginning in 2021. To date, the DPW has completed replacement of 19 affected service lines and have 89 more to do. This work will continue and be accomplished in conjunction with street construction, isolated water main replacement projects and planned replacements at locations where lead or galvanized water service lines exist.
The Village of Manchester does not currently employ corrosion control treatment to reduce lead leaching. The Village of Manchester is actively conducting Water Quality Parameter testing in accordance with MI-EGLE requirements to determine whether or not corrosion control treatment is necessary.
If you are a Village of Manchester water customer and would like your service line inspected or would like to have your drinking water tested for lead, contact the Village at (734) 428-7877.
This is the first of several informational notices you will receive about lead in drinking water. The Village will be collecting samples from 20 residences every six months, an increase from 10 residences every three years, and reviewing the results to determine if corrective actions are necessary to reduce corrosion in household plumbing.
For More Information
Call us at (734)428-7877or visit our website at www.vil-manchester.org or www.Michigan.gov/MiLeadSafe or www.Michigan.gov/EGLELeadPublicAdvisory ] . For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/lead, call the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-LEAD, or contact your healthcare provider.
