Burlington Memorial School Polluted Water Problem Resolved Polluted Water Problem Resolved In recent months, the public has learned that the 2 hot water tanks at Memorial Elementary School in Burlington, MA had failed. The tanks were installed with the new Memorial building in 2011, but failed before reaching their 5-year guarantee, leaving 14 months before they expired. This led to a variety… https://www.dimewaterinc.com/school-polluted-water-problem-resolved/
Burlington Memorial School Polluted Water Problem Resolved
Polluted Water Problem Resolved
In recent months, the public has learned that the 2 hot water tanks at Memorial Elementary School in Burlington, MA had failed. The tanks were installed with the new Memorial building in 2011, but failed before reaching their 5-year guarantee, leaving 14 months before they expired. This led to a variety of polluted water problems. In an effort to not have this as a recurring issue, the newly-installed tanks are stainless steel with a 15-year warranty.
High levels of copper and lead were reported in one sink in the cafeteria during one of the several water quality tests conducted annually by the town’s Water Department at each school. The sink was the only one found in the area to test positive for elevated levels of copper and lead. A water fountain was also tested and did not have the same levels.
The School Department subsequently conducted its own investigation, which revealed the need for replacing a back-flow preventer. A new back-flow preventer was installed and after another water test was conducted, the department reported copper and lead levels well below the Department of Environmental Protection’s threshold.
Everything is back on and usable except for the one sink in the kitchen, which is not being used for cooking. It is more of a discoloration issue, as the levels are all below where they need to be. It just does not look attractive.
Craig Robinson, Director of Finance and Operations
Copper and Lead in Drinking Water
Copper and lead turn out in our water source as a result of corrosion of household plumbing systems, or from the erosion of natural deposits. Both these metals can cause health problems if present in public or private water supplies in amounts greater than the drinking standards set by the EPA. The table below contains information about these metals, health effects and EPA’s drinking water regulations for copper and lead. Click on the image to zoom in.
How Will I Know If There Is Copper or Lead in My Water?
If you are concerned about the presence of these metals in your drinking water, the first thing to do is to have your water tested by a certified laboratory. Water testing is the only sure way of telling whether there are harmful quantities of copper or lead in your drinking water, since you cannot see, taste or smell these metals dissolved in water. In our on-site laboratory at Dime Water Inc., we routinely test for:
Physical appearance -pH -DO -TDS -Conductivity –Copper
Calcium and magnesium hardness -All forms of iron -Manganese -H2S
Chloride -P and M alkalinity -Nitrates/Nitrite -Oil -Bacteria P/A -Calculate LSI
Arsenic -Fluoride -Chlorine -Chloramines -CO2 -Tannins –Silica
How to Reduce Elevated Copper and Lead Level in Your Drinking Water
Public water suppliers should use corrosion control, which is an effective treatment technique to reduce the amount of copper in drinking water. As for lead, the more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Most lead in household water usually comes from the plumbing in your house, not the local water supply. To reduce lead in drinking water at home:
flush your pipes before drinking
only use cold water for consumption
flush your cold water pipes by running the water until it becomes as cold as it will get, anytime a particular faucet has not been used for 6+ hours
use only water from the cold water tap for drinking, cooking and baby formula
Call us at 760.734.5787 and get in touch with one of our water experts today to learn more about removing copper and lead from your drinking water.
Resources:
http://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/burlington/article_3637b6e6-a57d-11e4-8806-ef18db31c1c5.html
http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/lcr/index.cfm
http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/copper.cfm
http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/lead.cfm














