Macomb County Well being Division Assists The Metropolis Of Eastpointe With Lead Prevention Efforts

The Macomb County Well being Division is aiding the Metropolis of Eastpointe following notification from the Michigan Division of Surroundings, Nice Lakes, and Power (EGLE) that samples from the Eastpointe municipal water system have lead ranges within the consuming water that exceed state requirements. Water testing occurred as a part of routine compliance sampling required by EGLE below Michigan’s Protected Ingesting Water Act.

The Macomb County Well being Division and Eastpointe are collaborating with different companies on the next preventive actions:

• Offering public schooling and coordinating distribution of free water filters and cartridges. Water filters and cartridges will likely be obtainable to Eastpointe water prospects verified to have lead service strains of their house in addition to residents who meet any of the State-mandated {qualifications} together with: a baby below 18 lives on the tackle; a baby below 18 incessantly spends time at this tackle (“incessantly” signifies that a resident of the family offers take care of a minimum of a number of days per week for just a few hours per day over three or extra months per yr); a pregnant girl lives on the tackle; an individual receiving WIC advantages or Medicaid insurance coverage lives at this tackle; or, an individual can’t afford a filter and alternative cartridges (filters price about $35 and alternative filters price about $15).   
  • Water filter kits will likely be obtainable at two separate distribution occasions:
    • Instant (Drive-thru) distribution
      • Wednesday, October 19
      • Eastpointe Division of Public Works
        • 17750 Ten Mile Street, Eastpointe, MI 48021
      • 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
    • Eastpointe Lead Protected Open Home and Filter Distribution
      • Wednesday, October 26
      • Eastpointe Metropolis Corridor
      • 23200 Gratiot Ave., Eastpointe, MI 48021
      • 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Water filters will likely be even be obtainable for pick-up after October 19, 2022 at Eastpointe Metropolis Corridor and Public Works Places of work.
• Answering public questions:
  • For water testing/lead service line questions, contact the Metropolis of Eastpointe Division of Public Works at (586) 445-3661 – ext. 5.
  • For well being associated questions, contact the Macomb County Well being Division Public Well being Nursing program at (586) 469-5520.
    • Contact your main care doctor for testing your youngster’s blood for lead poisoning.

“The Macomb County Well being Division is supporting the Metropolis of Eastpointe by distributing filters to qualifying households and by offering public schooling on methods to decrease publicity to guide,” stated Andrew Cox, director/well being officer of the Macomb County Well being Division. “We strongly suggest that households with a baby or pregnant girl within the Metropolis of Eastpointe use a licensed lead filter to take away lead from their consuming water.”

Lead enters consuming water primarily because of corrosion, of supplies containing lead within the water distribution system and plumbing. These supplies embrace lead-based solder used to affix copper pipe, brass and chrome plated brass taps and fittings and water service strains manufactured from lead. Extra frequent sources of lead publicity embrace lead-based paint chips, mud, soil and imported items. Populations on the highest danger of lead poisoning embrace youngsters below 6-years-old residing in older properties or properties with lead paint, pregnant ladies, adults uncovered to guide on account of their occupation and refugees.

The next actions can assist cut back publicity to guide in consuming water:

• Exchange taps with these made in 2014 or later or marked “NSF 61/9” since they meet stricter limits.
• Should you don’t have a lead service line, run the water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, or till it turns into chilly or reaches a gradual temperature.
• Should you do have a lead service line, run the water for a minimum of 5 minutes to flush water from your house or the constructing’s plumbing and the lead service line.
• Use chilly, filtered water or bottled water for cooking and getting ready child method. Scorching water is more likely to comprise increased ranges of lead.
• Don’t boil water to take away lead. Boiling won’t cut back or take away the lead.
• Search for various consuming water sources or therapy of water. Chances are you’ll need to think about buying bottled water or a water filter.
• Have your water examined for lead when you suspect that your house’s plumbing or taps may comprise lead or lead-based solder.
• Clear aerators. Aerators are small attachments on the prime of the taps which regulate the circulate of water. They’ll accumulate small particles of lead of their screens. They need to be eliminated and sanitized month-to-month.
• Set up a water filter that’s licensed to NSF/ANSI Commonplace 53 for lead discount. The EPA additionally recommends the filter be licensed for NSF/ANSI Commonplace 42 for particulate discount (Class 1). If a water filter is put in, exchange cartridges a minimum of as typically as beneficial by the producer.

Extra Sources:

Eastpointe Lead Safe Web Page

MI Lead Safe Lead and Copper Rule Frequently Asked Questions

MI Lead Safe Drinking Water

Macomb County Health Department