Notice of the Possibility of a Lead Water Service Line

Hello Neighbor,

City records indicate that the water service line to this property may contain a lead pipe. You can view a map of the City’s service line records at grandrapidsmi.gov/LSLmap.

Tap water can be a source of lead if there is a lead service line or old plumbing and fixtures in your home. However, the most common cause of lead exposure in the city is lead-based paint and lead particles found in the home. Children under the age of 6 living in homes built before 1978 are at greater risk. For people who are pregnant, lead can be harmful to the fetus. Parents of young children and pregnant people should contact their healthcare provider about lead blood testing. Individuals without a healthcare provider can contact the Kent County Health Department at (616) 632-7100 to find out where to get a lead blood test.

These simple steps provide protection from lead in drinking water:

• Only use cold water for drinking, cooking, making ice, beverages, and especially infant formula. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.

• If the home has a lead service line, a pregnant person, or a child under the age of 6, consider purchasing a filter that meets NSF Standard 53. When using a filter, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance and replacement.

• If water has not been used for a couple of hours, run the kitchen or bathroom faucet for at least 5 minutes. Bring fresh, clean water into your home by using the dishwasher, shower, or washing machine.

• Remove and clean faucet aerators at least once every 6 months. Small particles containing lead may collect in the screens.

• A licensed plumber can provide information about alternative lead-free materials for your home’s plumbing. Visit www.epa.gov/water for more information about lead-free plumbing products.

• In the city, all water service lines from the water main to the water meter are being actively replaced at no cost to the property owner. Replacements typically occur when planned street repairs are taking place in the area. When a project is planned, property owners will be contacted about replacing the lead service line on their property; no action is required by the property owner.

Several additional precautions are taken to keep lead out of drinking water. At the filtration plant, the water is treated to prevent lead particles from being released from lead pipes or older plumbing and fixtures. The water is lead-free when it leaves the plant and remains lead-free as it travels through the main system. When water reaches a private home, there is a potential risk that it may come into contact with lead plumbing and fixtures. This includes the pipes that bring water into the home or pipes inside the house.

The city’s drinking water is tested for lead every year. These tests consistently confirm that lead levels in the water are within the limits allowed by the State of Michigan and the federal government. The Federal Lead and Copper Rule requires that an annual notice be sent to properties that may have lead pipes.

For more information about lead in drinking water, lead testing, or the lead service line replacement program, visit grandrapidsmi.gov/lead or call (616) 456-3000. To learn more about lead exposure and available resources, visit gettingaheadoflead.com.

In partnership,

Grand Rapids Water System