What is At the Tap Sampling?
Under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules, each year, Needham must test tap water in a sample of homes that are likely to have high lead levels. These are usually homes with lead service lines or lead solder. Needham source water is lead free. However lead can get into tap water if you have lead pipes in your home. Lead can also enter tap water if you have lead solder or brass fixtures. Corrosion or wearing away of lead-based materials can add lead to tap water, especially if water sits for a long time in the pipes before use. Lead can also leach into water if lead is used in privately owned service pipes that connect your home to Needham's water mains.
Each year, Needham samples 30 homes throughout the system that are likely to have high lead levels. The EPA rule requires that 9 out of 10, or 90%, of the sampled homes must have lead levels equal to or below the Action Level of 15 parts per billion (ppb).
How to Participate in the Program
If your home was built between 1982 and 1986, you may qualify to participate in Needham's Lead Sampling Program. Please contact the Water Treatment Facility for additional information.