Water is necessary for life.  We annually test our water for a great number of possible contaminants. Water is also a solvent that can take substances out of the pipe and carry them in the water.  This includes lead.  We have tested for lead in tap water for forty years.

In 1991, the EPA established the Lead and Copper Rule, setting allowable limits on these two components.  Infants and children over-exposed to lead could experience delays in their physical or mental development.  They could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities.  Adults exposed to lead over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.  The EPA estimates that 10 to 20 percent of human exposure to lead may come from lead in drinking water.  Infants who consume mostly mixed formula can receive 40 to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water.

In the early 1990's, we changed our treatment process to reduce the corrosiveness of our water, and we have remained in compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule.  This year, however, the most recent samples of residential tap water, conducted between June and September 2011, exceeded the maximum concentrations in State and Federal regulations.  Theses maximum concentrations are known as "Action Levels."  That means more than 10 percent of the samples contained lead above the fifteen parts per billion level.  Being above the "Action Level" does not signal a violation but adds additional requirements that include water quality parameter monitoring, corrosion control treatment, source water monitoring/treatment, public education, and lead service line replacement.

Many communities in Wisconsin, such as Milwaukee, Madison, and Racine, were already found to exceed the allowable lead limit, and we have researched their efforts to return to compliance.  We are currently planning additional changes to our treatment process to further lower our lead levels in the water.

The primary source of lead in drinking water is the water lateral pipe from our water main to the point of use within a building.  Most of our customers do not have a problem regarding lead in their water.  This is because our water mains are not made of lead, as well as laws that limit the amount of lead allowable in plumbing, fixtures, and solder.  We have focused our attention on properties likely to be most vulnerable.  That is primarily older homes and buildings that may have components installed prior to the lead-limiting legislation.

 We will be offering free lead testing to any customer who requests it.