The Village of Garden City was recently notified of a high lead level in the domestic water supply sample at a home in Garden City. The village contacted the county Health Department for information and any guidance, and simultaneously conducted tests for lead at each of its active well sites where the treated water enters the village-wide distribution system. Those tests came back “non-detect” for lead and the results were shared with the health department. Preliminary results indicate that the home in question has a lead service line connection to the village water main.
The village is awaiting a final report from the Health Department’s investigation and any recommendations that may be forthcoming. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead service lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Among homes without lead service lines, the most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and plumbing with lead solder.
The village immediately conducted tests for lead at each of its active well sites where the treated water enters the village-wide distribution system. Those tests came back “non-detect” for lead and were forwarded to the Health Department. H2M, the village’s water consultants, is evaluating the effectiveness of corrosion control treatment throughout the village. The village has conducted all required lead and copper compliance mandates as required under the Federal Lead and Copper Rule, including the most recent sampling conducted in 2020, and was found to be in compliance. The village is aggressively monitoring the water supply and is in regular communication with the Health Department during its investigation. We will remain vigilant and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Residents can immediately request free lead testing kits through the New York State Department of Health. Email FreeWaterTesting@health.ny.gov and provide the following information:
Your name; your phone number; your e-mail address; address for sample location and address for mailing test kit, if different; county for sample location; first choice for participating laboratory selected from the list below; and second choice for participating laboratory selected from the list below.
You should be aware that the results of these samples are not made available to the village. If you wish, you can forward a copy of the results to the village Water Department, but it is not a requirement of your participation in the state Department of Health program.
List of Laboratories: Advanced Analytical Technologies, Orangeburg, Rockland County; EMSL Analytical, Inc., New York, New York County; Envirotest Laboratories, Inc., Newburgh, Orange County; Erie County Public Health Laboratory, Buffalo, Erie County; NY Environmental and Analytical Labs Inc., Port Washington, Nassau County; and Westchester County Department of Laboratories and Research, Valhalla, Westchester County.
—Submitted by the Village of Garden City
