This is the consumer notice that indicates that the public water system at Mesopotamia Elementary School meets state and federal standards after recent water sampling . For more information or questions, please contact Gregg Isler, District Superintendent at 440-685-4711.
Non-Transient Consumer Notice of Tap Water Lead Result
Dear Consumer: Mesopotamia elementary is a public water system (PWS) responsible for providing drinking water that meets state and federal standards. Drinking water samples were collected at the following locations. Results are summarized in the table below:
What Does This Mean?
Under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)established the action level for lead in drinking water at 15 micrograms per liter (µg/L). This means PWSs must ensure that water from taps used for human consumption do not exceed this level in at least 90 percent of the sites sampled (90th percentile value). The action level is the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a PWS must follow.
In 2018, Ohio EPA established the threshold level for lead in drinking water at 15 µg/L. The lead threshold level is the concentration of lead in an individual tap water sample which, if exceeded, triggers additional notification requirements for those served by the tap sampled. Additionally, if a sample exceeds the lead threshold level, the associated tap must be removed from service.
Because lead may pose serious health risks, US EPA established a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of zero for lead. The MCLG is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health, allowing for a margin of safety.
What are the Health Effects of Lead?
Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones, and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development.
Where Can I Get Health Screenings and Testing of Blood Lead Levels?
Health Screenings are available through your health care provider.
What Can I Do to Reduce Exposure to Lead if Found in My Drinking Water?
Run your water to flush out lead. If water has not been used for several hours, run water
for thirty seconds to two minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. This helps flush any
lead in the water that may have leached from the plumbing.
Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Do not cook with, drink water, o
r make baby formula from the hot water tap. Lead dissolves more easily in hot water.
Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
What are the Sources of Lead?
Lead is unusual among drinking water contaminants in that it seldom occurs naturally in water supplies like rivers and lakes. Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of corrosion, or wearing away, of materials containing lead in the plumbing. Buildings built prior to 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures, and solder. New buildings can also be at risk, since even legally ‘lead-free’ plumbing may contain up to 8 percent lead. The most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass fixtures which can leach significant amounts of lead into water, especially hot water.
For More Information, Please Contact: Gregg Isler Superintendent; visit US EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/lead; call the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-LEAD; or contact your health care provider.