Kotzebue water system exceeds federal lead action level after two of 10 homes test high

Two of 10 homes tested for lead in Kotzebue's water had levels above the federal action level, the city said in a public notice Thursday. The city did not tell residents to stop drinking the water, and the results do not mean every tap in town has high lead.

Under Environmental Protection Agency rules, a water system exceeds the action level when more than 10% of sampled homes test above 15 parts per billion. That triggers public notice, more testing and possible changes to treatment or plumbing. It is not by itself a violation of federal drinking water law. Kotzebue's system serves more than 3,100 people, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The city said it will double the number of homes it tests, from 10 to 20, and will test for lead every six months until the problem is fixed. Staff will check the plumbing at the two homes for parts that are not lead-free. The city will also do more testing at the treatment plant to adjust the water so it is less likely to pull lead from pipes.

Lead usually gets into drinking water after it leaves the treatment plant, from pipes, solder, faucets and brass fittings in homes. How much reaches a tap depends on the plumbing and how long the water has been sitting.

What residents can do

• Run the tap first. If water has sat in the pipes for several hours, let it run until it turns cold before drinking or cooking with it.

• Use cold water only for drinking, cooking and baby formula.

• Don't boil it for lead. Boiling does not remove lead.

• Clean faucet screens and filter. The EPA also recommends cleaning faucet screens and using a filter certified to reduce lead.

• Test your tap. Residents can have their own tap tested. If it is still above 15 parts per billion after running the water, the city recommends a lead-reducing filter, bottled water, or filling jugs directly from the tanks at the water plant.

• Know the risk to children. Lead has no taste, smell or color. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says no safe blood lead level has been found for young children, and babies fed formula made with tap water are at greater risk.

• Ask about testing. Contact water plant supervisor Matthew Lazarus at 907-412-0881 or [email protected].