TROY, N.Y. – Drinking water quality monitoring conducted by the Troy Public Utilities department has found elevated levels of lead in some of the 60 homes and buildings tested around the City of Troy. The City of Troy Department of Public Utilities is required to perform water sample testing to continually ensure the safety of our drinking water. Even though the source of water for the city is free of lead, the test samples taken from inside representative residential homes throughout our community show an exceedance of lead possibly due to lead
water service lines or interior lead plumbing.
The City of Troy is committed to the removal of all lead service lines from our community. City officials request your cooperation. If you live in a home built before 1975 and have not had a water service inspection at your home by the Department of Public Utilities, you should contact the department as soon as possible at (518) 237-0343. There is no charge for a technician to come to your home for an inspection.
There are several actions underway to address the lead in drinking water concerns. A mailing will be sent to city residents this week with additional information and instructions. A Public Utilities Committee meeting of the City Council will be scheduled, and the Council will set spending parameters for funding that is available to assist residents who need to replace lead service pipes. In addition, residents who would like to schedule a technician who can
inspect the type of water service going into your home, can call (518) 237-0343.
We are committed to removing lead pipe water service because of the health impact it may have on residents. Lead is a common metal found in the environment. Drinking water is one possible source of lead exposure because before 1975 it was used in some plumbing materials. The City of Troy is prepared to help you determine if lead pipes are involved in your water service and help remove identified sources of lead service.
Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources, especially for pregnant women and children six years and younger. 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. 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.
Steps Residents Can Take To Reduce Exposure To Lead In Your Water:
Run your water to flush out lead. Run water for several minutes before using it for drinking or cooking, if it hasn't been used for several hours. 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.
Replace your plumbing fixtures if they are found to contain lead. Plumbing materials including brass faucets, fittings,and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free," may contribute lead to drinking water. The law previously allowed end-use brass fixtures, such as faucets, with up to 8 percent lead to be labeled as “lead free." As of Jan. 4, 2014, end-use brass fixtures, such as faucets, fittings and valves, must meet the new "lead-free" definition of having no more than 0.25 percent lead on a weighted average. Visit the National Sanitation Foundation website at: http://www.nsf.org/newsroom_pdf/Lead_free_certification_marks.pdf to learn more about lead-containing plumbing fixtures and how to identify lead-free certification marks on new fixtures.
Use bottled water or use a water filter. If your home is served by a lead service line, and/or if lead containing plumbing materials are found to be in your home, you may want to consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter. Read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead or contact NSF International at (800) NSF-8010 or visit https://info.nsf.org/Certified/dwtu/listings_leadreduction.asp, for a consumer guide of approved water filters. Be sure to maintain and replace a filter device in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to protect water quality.
Any measure you take to reduce your exposure to lead should be continued until the lead source(s) has been minimized or eliminated.
During the first half of 2023, the City of Troy completed representative sample testing at 60 different residential properties. Analysis of the samples showed lead exceedances at certain locations. No lead was detected in the City's source water and the City's mains are not of lead construction.
Here are multiple sources of additional information:
Call the Troy Department of Public Utilities at (518) 237-0343 or visit our website at www.troyny.gov/lead about city inspections and available assistance.
Contact your Rensselaer County Health Department at (518) 270-2640 to determine if you qualify for a free lead risk assessment of your property where children under 6 years of age.
You can also learn more by contacting the New York State Department of Health directly by calling the toll-free number (within New York State) 1 (800) 458-1158, extension 27650, or out of state at (518) 402-7650, or by email at bpwsp@health.state.ny.us.
For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website at www.epa.gov/lead, or call the National Lead Information Center at 1 (800) 424-LEAD.
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