ELY- The City of Ely tested twenty homes in August of 2022 for lead and found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes and buildings. The City of Ely has been working closely with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) on additional testing. Recently forty additional samples were taken within the system and none of the samples exceeded the action level for lead.
The City of Ely will be completing a system-wide inventory of possible lead service lines for prioritization of replacement. A system-wide project proposal has been submitted to the MDH for state funding. The City of Ely will also be collecting additional sampling this summer to continue to monitor for lead in services. All residences with positive lead results from last summer have already been notified directly.
The second round of sampling this spring and its timing were due to a number of factors already made public at Ely City Council meetings (see Ely City Council article in the April 21 edition of the Timberjay). The Minnesota Department of Health did not receive the required number of test results from the laboratory selected by the State of Minnesota for the lead and copper testing completed in August of 2022. In addition, the City of Ely was not notified of all sampling results from that round of testing. These events have made it necessary to communicate further details to the public concerning possible lead in drinking water in private service lines in Ely.
Health Effects of Lead
The main way to come in contact with lead in Minnesota is through lead-based paint in homes built before 1978; however, you can also come in contact with lead through drinking water. Lead can get in your drinking water as it passes through your household plumbing system. Testing has verified that the City of Ely’s water delivery system is not the ssource of lead in the water samples. The source is private service lines that tie homes and other buildings to the City’s water lines. The lead can come from old lead pipe or from lead-based solder in aging water lines.
The City of Ely is concerned about the health of their residents because lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. 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. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. 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.
The City of Ely protects private water services from corrosion utilizing pH control measures. The City will continue to monitor the potable water closely to ensure optimal corrosion protection is provided.
Reduce exposure to lead in water
• Let the water run before using it for drinking or cooking. If you have a lead service line, let the water run for 3-5 minutes. If you do not have a lead service line, let the water run for 30-60 seconds. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain.
• Use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Hot water absorbs more lead from pipes than cold water.
• Boiling water does not reduce lead levels and may actually increase them.
• Test your water. The only way to know if lead has been reduced by letting it run is to check with a test. If letting the water run does not reduce lead, consider other options to reduce your exposure. Many laboratories can test your water to see if it contains lead. If you would like to have your water tested you can contact the following area labs: Pace Analytical, Virginia MN 218-735-6700, or RMB Environmental, Hibbing MN 218-440-2043.
• Contact a Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) accredited laboratory to purchase a sample container and get instructions on how to submit a sample (https://eldo.web.health.state.mn.us/public/accreditedlabs/labsearch.seam). MDH can help you understand your test results.
• Treat your water or find an alternative source if a test shows your water has high levels of lead after you let the water run. See: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/factsheet/poulead.html.
• Get your child tested. Contact your local health department or doctor to find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about exposure. Find out more information about child lead poisoning prevention at: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/lead/faqs.html.
• Call the City of Ely at 218-504-5140 or visit www.ely.mn.us. For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit http://www.epa.gov/lead, or contact your doctor.