During the last six months, Inkster personnel collected water samples at 62 homes as part of the lead and copper level compliance with the state Safe Drinking Water Act. Test results for eight of the 62 homes reported lead levels higher than the Action Level of 15 ppb (parts per billion) as outlined by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
Since 2019, the City of Inkster has been working to reduce lead levels in drinking water by educating customers, providing customers with water filters, replacing known lead service lines, and identifying the service line material for those that are unknown, according to an official report prepared by the city. The action level for lead is 15 ppb and the eight homes in Inkster registered 18 ppb.
City officials noted that exposure to lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters the body from drinking water and other sources and suggested Inkster residents take precautions to prevent the threat hazard. In the report, they suggested that residents run water to flush out lead-containing water. Those who do not have a lead service line should run the water for 30 seconds to two minutes, or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature. Those who do have a lead service line should run the water for at least five minutes to flush water from the house or building plumbing and the lead service line.
“Everyone can consider using a filter to reduce lead in drinking water. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommends that any household with a child or pregnant woman use cold water and a certified lead filter to remove lead from their drinking water, especially when preparing baby formula,” officials cautioned in the report. Residents should look for filters that are tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction and ensure that filters work properly and that the manufacturer's instructions are following.
“If your household has a child or pregnant woman and is not able to afford the cost of a lead filter, the Wayne County Health Department will provide filters at no cost,” officials said. Filters will be available via a drive-through pick-up at the Booker Dozier Recreation Center at 2025 Middlebelt Road from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, and Sunday, Feb. 21. During filter distribution social distancing will be practiced, face masks are required, and all recipients will be asked to remain in their vehicles during pick-up.
Officials urges resident not to use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or preparing baby formula and explained that boiling the water will not reduce the amount of lead in the water.
All resident were advised to clean faucet aerators to remove trapped debris and to check home water service line at the water meter to determine if it is a lead service line
The Action Level is not a health-based standard but is a level that triggers additional actions including, but not limited to, increased investigative sampling of the water quality and educational outreach to our customers. The health-based standard for lead in drinking water is 0 ppb; there is no safe level of lead in the blood.
Lead can enter drinking water when in contact with pipes, solder, home/building interior plumbing, fittings, and fixtures that contain lead. Homes with lead service lines have an increased risk of having high lead levels in drinking water. Of the approximate 8,800 customers in Inkster, about 5 percent or 400 customers have lead service lines, officials said.
The more time water has been sitting in home pipes, the more lead it may contain. Therefore, if home water has not been used for several hours, run the water before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes lead-containing water from the pipes. Additional flushing may be required for homes that have been vacant or have a longer service line, officials advised.
