About that lead in City water ...

Some of you may have heard the latest periodic report from the City of Troy that high levels of lead have been found during routine testing at some homes in the municipality.

This is a report the City makes every few years, but its findings have never affected any homes on the Terrace. It primarily applies to much older homes -- usually those constructed before 1975. Since the oldest Terrace homes were built in 1995 and others in 1996 and '97 or so, they were constructed after regulations changed concerning use of lead-free water pipes, couplings, soldering, and so forth.

Here, for your reference, is the verbatim press release sent out from the City:

Drinking water quality monitoring conducted by the Troy Public Utilities department has found elevated levels of lead in some of the 60 homes and buildings tested around the City of Troy. 

Even thought the source of water for the City is free of lead, the test samples taken from inside representative residential homes show an exceedance of lead, possibly due to lead water services lines or interior lead plumbing. 

The City of Troy is committed to the removal of all lead service lines from our community. City officials request your cooperation. If you live in a home built prior to 1975 and have not had a water service inspection at your home by the Department of Public Utilities, you should contact the department as soon as possible at 518-237-0343. There is no charge for a technician to come to your home for an inspection. 

There are several actions under way to address the lead in drinking water concerns. 

• A postcard will be sent to city residents via mail this week with additional information and instructions. 

• A Public Utilities Committee meeting of the City Council will be scheduled, and the Council will set spending parameters for funding that is available to assist residents who need to replace lead service pipes. 

• In addition, residents who would like to schedule a technician who can inspect the type of water service going into your home, can call (518) 237-0343.

---