UPDATE ON 2020 PENN STATE WILKES-BARRE WATER FINDINGS
The Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus is a public water system, and as such we are responsible for providing you with water on our campus and strives to provide drinking water that meets or exceeds state and federal standards. We are providing information to you as part of our ongoing public education program.
What happened?
While performing routine tests during fall 2019, Penn State Wilkes-Barre found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in a handful of locations on its campus and at the adjacent, independently operated off-campus apartment complex, Nittany Commons. All the areas that tested above the action level were in isolated or low-traffic areas.
As part of its regular monitoring, in April and May 2020 Penn State Wilkes-Barre took 20 samples that revealed all samples tested below the action level for lead. In September and October 2020, Penn State Wilkes-Barre took additional drinking water samples that revealed all lead levels were below the 90th percentile.
What is being done?
The campus will take water samples every six months to closely monitor the lead levels in its water distribution system in 2020.
We are also evaluating possible actions to reduce the potential of our water leaching lead and copper from plumbing materials that contain these metals. As part of this evaluation, in 2020 we began a corrosion control sampling program to collect data, which demonstrated that our wells (raw water sources) and water treatment processes are not the source of lead in our drinking water. We have had corrosion control treatment technologies in place as part of our water treatment processes.
Sources of Lead
Lead is a common metal found in the environment but is rarely found in source water. Lead may enter tap water through the corrosion of plumbing materials, such as lead pipes, copper pipes and solder in distribution systems and building piping.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), the main sources of lead exposure are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust or soil, as well as certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, food and cosmetics. Brass faucets, fittings and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free,” may contribute lead to drinking water.
Flushing water from fixtures that are not normally used will reduce corrosion and the potential for leaching. For fixtures normally used, running the water for several minutes or until it reaches a cold/uniform temperature will aid in flushing lead and copper that may be present, especially if the water has not been used for several hours.
For More Information
Please contact Jennifer Henniges, Penn State Wilkes-Barre strategic communications specialist, by telephone at 570-675-9269 or by email at jhk5993@psu.edu, or visit waterstandards.psu.edu. For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home and the health effects of lead, visit US EPA’s website at: www.epa.gov/lead, call the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-LEAD, or contact your health care provider.