Lead Testing & Education

WATER TESTING IN ORLEANS PARISH

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Lead Testing & Education

Water Testing in Orleans Parish

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About the Report

About the Report

The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans conducted a Lead Water Quality Testing Study in the summer of 2024 to address the pressing need for comprehensive data on water quality issues in the city. This study aimed to assess the levels of lead and copper in residential tap water across various neighborhoods in Orleans Parish, determining if these levels exceed EPA regulatory standards. Our primary goal is to empower the community by sharing crucial insights into lead exposure and educating individuals on effective mitigation strategies. The findings were shared with the tested residences, the local water utility, state agencies, and community partners to advocate for equitable service line replacement.

The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans conducted a Lead Water Quality Testing Study in the summer of 2024 to address the pressing need for comprehensive data on water quality issues in the city. This study aimed to assess the levels of lead and copper in residential tap water across various neighborhoods in Orleans Parish, determining if these levels exceed EPA regulatory standards. Our primary goal is to empower the community by sharing crucial insights into lead exposure and educating individuals on effective mitigation strategies. The findings were shared with the tested residences, the local water utility, state agencies, and community partners to advocate for equitable service line replacement.

Incorporating Community Imput

The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans conducted a Lead Water Quality Testing Study in the summer of 2024 to address the pressing need for comprehensive data on water quality issues in the city. This study aimed to assess the levels of lead and copper in residential tap water across various neighborhoods in Orleans Parish, determining if these levels exceed EPA regulatory standards. Our primary goal is to empower the community by sharing crucial insights into lead exposure and educating individuals on effective mitigation strategies. The findings were shared with the tested residences, the local water utility, state agencies, and community partners to advocate for equitable service line replacement.

The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans conducted a Lead Water Quality Testing Study in the summer of 2024 to address the pressing need for comprehensive data on water quality issues in the city. This study aimed to assess the levels of lead and copper in residential tap water across various neighborhoods in Orleans Parish, determining if these levels exceed EPA regulatory standards. Our primary goal is to empower the community by sharing crucial insights into lead exposure and educating individuals on effective mitigation strategies. The findings were shared with the tested residences, the local water utility, state agencies, and community partners to advocate for equitable service line replacement.

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The Contaminants

The Contaminants

LEAD

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that contaminates water when plumbing materials like lead pipes, goosenecks, and fixtures corrode over time. This is particularly concerning because lead poisoning can inflict severe damage on the nervous system, resulting in developmental issues such as learning disabilities and behavioral problems, especially in children. Even minimal exposure to lead over time can result in significant health complications for both children and adults, jeopardizing cognitive development and overall well-being.

The current action level is 15 parts per billion (ppb).

The Safe Home DIY Lead in Drinking Water Test Kit (Amazon) is an easy-to-use home testing solution designed to detect lead in drinking water, with a detection limit as low as 5 parts per billion (ppb).

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that contaminates water when plumbing materials like lead pipes, goosenecks, and fixtures corrode over time. This is particularly concerning because lead poisoning can inflict severe damage on the nervous system, resulting in developmental issues such as learning disabilities and behavioral problems, especially in children. Even minimal exposure to lead over time can result in significant health complications for both children and adults, jeopardizing cognitive development and overall well-being.

The current action level is 15 parts per billion (ppb).

The Safe Home DIY Lead in Drinking Water Test Kit (Amazon) is an easy-to-use home testing solution designed to detect lead in drinking water, with a detection limit as low as 5 parts per billion (ppb).

COPPER

Copper is an essential mineral that supports a lot of human bodily functions. Exposure to high copper levels, often from contaminated food and water, can result in copper toxicity. Corroded plumbing materials are a common source of copper release into drinking water. Short-term exposure to elevated copper levels may manifest in symptoms like stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Prolonged exposure to high levels of copper in drinking water can escalate to more severe health issues, such as liver damage and neurological disorders.

The current action level is 1.3 parts per million (ppm) or 1,300 ppb.

Copper is an essential mineral that supports a lot of human bodily functions. Exposure to high copper levels, often from contaminated food and water, can result in copper toxicity. Corroded plumbing materials are a common source of copper release into drinking water. Short-term exposure to elevated copper levels may manifest in symptoms like stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Prolonged exposure to high levels of copper in drinking water can escalate to more severe health issues, such as liver damage and neurological disorders.

The current action level is 1.3 parts per million (ppm) or 1,300 ppb.

Methodology

Methodology

We are following the testing procedures established in the upcoming Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. Water in pipes must sit for a minimum of 6 hours before testing. Water samples will be directly collected from residents' kitchen sinks to ensure a representative sample of the water used for cooking and drinking in the household, adhering to the first and fifth liter testing procedure. This sampling approach follows the guidelines outlined in the upcoming Lead and Copper Rule Revisions/Improvements.

The water collected in the first liter represents the water in contact with the faucet and interior plumbing, while the water collected in the fifth liter samples represents the water that has been sitting in a water service line outside of the house.

View this demonstration to observe the water collection process that was conducted.

We are following the testing procedures established in the upcoming Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. Water in pipes must sit for a minimum of 6 hours before testing. Water samples will be directly collected from residents' kitchen sinks to ensure a representative sample of the water used for cooking and drinking in the household, adhering to the first and fifth liter testing procedure. This sampling approach follows the guidelines outlined in the upcoming Lead and Copper Rule Revisions/Improvements.

The water collected in the first liter represents the water in contact with the faucet and interior plumbing, while the water collected in the fifth liter samples represents the water that has been sitting in a water service line outside of the house.

View this demonstration to observe the water collection process that was conducted.

City of Grand Rapids. Lead and Copper Rule: The Revised Rule.

City of Grand Rapids. Lead and Copper Rule: The Revised Rule.

Key Findings

Key Findings

Scenes from
the Field

Scenes from
the Field

Regulatory Oversight

Regulatory Oversight

The federal government has been regulating lead and copper exposure in the country's drinking water since 1991 through the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule. Learn more about the federal regulation in Navigating the Changes: Lead and Copper Rule. The LCR Revisions went into effect on December 16, 2021, with a compliance deadline of October 16, 2024.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), signed by President Biden in 2021, provides over $50 billion to the EPA to enhance the nation's drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. This represents the most significant federal investment in water systems to date. Additionally, the BIL allocated $15 billion over five years (2022-2026) specifically for the identification and replacement of lead service lines.

Louisiana is set to receive $42 million annually. As of 2024, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) is set to receive $86 million in LSL funding.

Projects funded through the BIL are required to conduct a full replacement of lead service lines, addressing both public and private sections. Full lead service line replacement eliminates the primary cause of lead exposure through drinking water systems.

Resources

epa.gov

BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD IN DRINKING WATER

cdc.gov

ABOUT LEAD IN DRINKING WATER

cdc.gov

PREVENTING CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING

nrdc.org

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM LEAD CONTAMINATED WATER

epa.gov

LEAD & COPPER RULE

nrdc.org

CAUSES & EFFECTS OF LEAD IN WATER

2024 Fellows

2024 Fellows

Programs

WATER TESTING IN ORLEANS PARISH

2024 Fellows

TYNEISHA

BRADLEY

2024 Fellows

AYANA
SMITH

2024 Fellows

LYLA KLEIN

2024 Fellows

KENNEDY MOORE

2024 Fellows

ELIZABETH

REDEMANN

2024 Fellows

D'QUARIUS ROBERSTON

2024 Fellows

SATWIK RAJAN

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