Copyright M Live Michigan
LEONI TWP., MI — A recent water test from 10 Leoni Township homes found elevated levels of lead in some of the home’s drinking water. Leoni Township issued a notice Tuesday, Nov. 4, alerting the public water samples taken from two of the 10 homes tested positive for elevated lead levels after being tested by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. It did not specify the location of the homes. Lead levels in the water in the two homes were found to have 19 parts per billion whereas 12 parts per billion is the action level mandated by the state. The alert was issued because the amount found was at an actionable level requiring notice and outreach on how to eliminate or reduce lead exposure, officials said. The goal for drinking water is to have no lead as there is no safe level of lead in the blood. The township is mailing out comprehensive public education documents about lead in drinking water. It will also be collecting water samples from 20 sites every six months and reviewing the results to determine if corrective actions are necessary to reduce corrosion in household plumbing. Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant people and young children. Lead can enter drinking water when in contact with pipes, solder, 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. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. It is recommended if your water has not been used for several hours, run the water before using it for drinking or cooking to flush lead-containing water from the pipes. Additional flushing may be required for homes that have been vacant or have a longer service line. Homeowners in Leoni Township who are unsure what type of service line they have can call the township at 517-522-8445 or a licensed plumber. To have your water tested, visit the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy for a list of certified testing labs.
