What is Puyallup Water’s process for testing for lead and who sets the rules for that?
The federal Lead and Copper Rule, which was developed by the EPA and is implemented by the Washington State Department of Health, prescribes the minimum number of samples, how sample sites are selected, the process for collecting lead samples in customers’ homes, and what the levels must be below. Puyallup Water currently collects a minimum of 30 samples every 3 years. Sample sites are selected based on what are believed to be the most likely, worst-case sample sites for lead exposure.

The federally acceptable limit of lead in drinking water is 15 parts per billion (ppb) in no more than 10% of collected samples. If more than 10% of samples are above that Lead Action Level, this would trigger the water system to improve its corrosion control treatment and increase the amount of monitoring required. The water system would also have to provide additional information to its customers. Please call 253-841-5505 for more information.

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1. How does lead get into people’s drinking water?
2. How do high levels of lead in the water affect people?
3. What went wrong with the water in Flint, Michigan in 2014 and 2015?
4. How does Puyallup Water help prevent lead from getting into people’s drinking water?
5. What is Puyallup Water’s process for testing for lead and who sets the rules for that?
6. When did Puyallup Water start testing for lead and why?
7. How does Puyallup Water report lead findings to customers?
8. Who regulates our water supply?
9. Are those regulations protective enough?
10. Who oversees trends in our area’s public health or has access to track lead levels in children in our area? What are they reporting?
11. Are there inherent differences between Flint’s water supply and Puyallup’s water supply?
12. If I’m concerned about lead in my water, what can I do?
13. What homes are at high risk of having lead contamination through the pipes?