If present, elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Drinking water supplied by ECWA does not contain lead when it leaves the treatment plant.
Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing.
ECWA is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components.
When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by running or flushing your tap for several minutes before using the tap water for drinking or cooking.
If you are concerned about lead in your water, the Erie County Department of Health offers testing to County residents. The cost is minimal. Call 716-898-6100 to make the arrangements.
Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods and steps you can take to minimize your exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or at www.epa.gov/ safewater/lead.
ECWA has been on reduced monitoring schedule for lead and copper, meaning we sample a minimum of 50 homes every three years. Compliance sampling was performed in 2016 and will be conducted again annualy.
