VILLAGE OF WARWICK NY

Lead is rarely found naturally in our source water or in the treated water flowing through the distribution system. More commonly, lead leaches into water over time through corrosion – a dissolving or wearing away of metal caused by a chemical reaction between water and you’re plumbing. Lead can leach into water from pipes, solder, fixtures, faucets (brass) and fittings. The amount of lead in your water depends on the types and amounts of minerals in the water, how long the water stays in the pipes, the water’s corrosivity, and water temperature.

The Village of Warwick utilizes a corrosion inhibitor as part of its water treatment process. Our corrosion inhibitor contains a proprietary orthophosphate blend for the purpose of lead/copper corrosion control.

The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In 1986, Congress enacted the “lead ban,” which stated that not only public water systems, but also anyone else who intends to install or repair drinking water plumbing connected to a public water system, must use “lead free materials.” As a result, homes built in or after 1986 are far less likely to have lead pipes and solder.

The Village of Warwick regularly tests the water at twenty-two (22) customer locations. The Action level for lead was exceeded at one of the twenty-two (22) sites tested. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426- 4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women, infants, and young children. It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community, because of materials used in customers plumbing components.

The Village of Warwick is responsible for providing high quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials used in a customer’s plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking.