Kent’s water remains very safe, said city water superintendent Sean Bauer.
But the city will test water for free for customers whose homes were built prior to 1940.
“In light of the discovery in Tacoma, Kent is inventorying homes constructed prior to 1940 within its water service area for any lead gooseneck pipes,” Bauer said. “From this inventory, we’ll cross-reference for homes whose service lines have not already been replaced.
“The plan and schedule for this work may take some time, so we appreciate customer patience as we work through this process. I don’t expect to find many, if any at all. During the last 12 years, we’ve only had two locations where a section of lead pipe was found.”
Kent’s water utility customers are encouraged to call 253-856-5600 or email pwops@KentWA.gov to schedule a test or share questions or concerns about water quality.
Lead-contaminated water has garnered a lot of media attention in recent months. While the news originated in Flint, Mich., it moved closer to home last week when Tacoma Water found elevated levels of lead in service lines to four homes and has found elevated levels at two elementary schools.
Bauer says the culprit in Tacoma appears to be short sections of lead “gooseneck” pipes that were used to connect a water main to a water service line. This was common practice prior to 1940, but Bauer says they are not used today.
“Lead does not typically come from the source water,” Bauer said in a city media release. “It’s important for Kent’s water customers to know that in the last 10 years of annual testing, there have been no detectable levels of lead found in source water. Lead in drinking water usually comes from the corrosion of lead-containing plumbing fixtures, or the solder that connects copper pipes.”
Lead-based solder was banned in 1986, but small amounts of lead can still be found in many brass plumbing fixtures and can slowly dissolve into water after standing in pipes for a long time.
The Green River and Clark Springs, part of the Rock Creek watershed (a Cedar River tributary) are the sources of Kent’s water system. These sources are treated with sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and aeration to raise the pH, which makes it less corrosive on plumbing and reduces the amount of lead that can dissolve into the drinking water.
If homes were built after 1940, but prior to 1986, Bauer offers the following tips to reduce possible lead in your water:
• If water has been sitting in your homes plumbing for over six hours, flush the tap before you use, drink, or cook with it. Run the water until it is noticeably cooler. Collect the water in a pitcher or jug and use it to water plants. Bathing or showering is not a concern.
• Always use the cold water tap for cooking or drinking – warm water can be more corrosive than cold water.
• Never make baby formula or other drinks or food for children from the hot water tap. Use water from the cold water tap (after flushing) and warm it if necessary.
Kent residents who have water service through Highline Water District, Soos Creek Water District and Water District 111 should contact those utilities directly with questions or concerns.
• Highline Water District: 206-824-0375
• King County Water District 111: 253-859-6870
• Soos Creek Water/Sewer District: 253-630-9900
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