Full Notification

Every year, the City of Harper Woods conducts testing of tap water in homes for lead and copper.

This summer, we collected samples from 30 homes. The EGLE evaluates compliance with the Action Level based on the 90th percentile of all lead and copper results collected in each round of sampling. The lead 90th percentile for the City’s water supply is 47 parts per billion (ppb), which exceeds the Action Level of 15 ppb

The “Action Level” is a measure of corrosion control effectiveness; it is not a health-based standard. The goal for lead in drinking water is 0 ppb; there is no safe level of lead in the blood.

An “Action Level exceedance” means that more than 10% of the homes tested have results over 15 ppb. The exceedance triggers additional actions including educational outreach to customers, ongoing sampling every six months, and service line replacement. Because 4 homes were over the Action Level for lead, Harper Woods would like to share some ways you can reduce your exposure to lead since lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water and other sources.

The most important thing you can do is learn how lead gets into drinking water and what your risks may be. Lead can enter drinking water when in contact with pipes, solder, home/building interior plumbing, fittings, and fixtures that contain lead. Homes with lead service lines have an increased risk of having high lead levels in drinking water. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Therefore, if your water has not been used for several hours, run the water before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes lead-containing water from the pipes. Additional flushing may be required for homes that have been vacant or have a longer service line.

· Run your water to flush out lead-containing water.

o If you do not have a lead service line, run the water for 30 seconds to two minutes, or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature.

o If you do have a lead service line, run the water for at least five minutes to flush water from your home or building’s plumbing and the lead service line.

· Everyone can consider using a filter to reduce lead in drinking water. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends every household use a certified lead filter to reduce lead from their drinking water, especially households with a child, pregnant person, an individual with high blood pressure, or people residing in houses built before 1987. MDHHS also recommends making baby formula or cooking with filtered water.

o Look for filters that are tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction and NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for particulate reduction (Class I).

o For filters to work properly, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

o DHHS recommends that filter cartridges are replaced every two months.

· If your household has a child or pregnant woman and are not able to afford the cost of a lead filter, the Harper Woods DPW [(313) 343-2570] is continuing to offer lead filters and replacement cartridges to their residents in need of a filter. Do not use hot water for drinking, preparing food, or cooking, or preparing baby formula.

· Do not boil your water as boiling will not reduce the amount of lead in water.

· Check whether your home has a lead service line.

MDHHS recommends that residents use a certified lead-reducing drinking water filter if their home has or if they are uncertain if it has one of the following.

• Lead or galvanized plumbing.

• A lead service line carrying water from the street to their residence.

• Old faucets and fittings that were sold before 2014.

Residents who receive water from Harper Woods are eligible for a filter at no cost if they live in a home where a Medicaid-enrolled child under 19 years of age or a Medicaid-enrolled pregnant person resides.

The City of Harper Woods, in conjunction with Wayne County, will be holding a water filter distribution event on Thursday, November 2, and Friday, November 3, 2023. This event will take place at the Harper Woods NEDC Building located at 20010 Kelly Rd., Harper Woods. The hours for distribution are 2:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. both days. The City of Harper Woods makes lead-related issues a priority by continuing to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. Since 2019, we have continued to provide filters to residents, with the help of Wayne County. Replacement cartridges are available for residents that have previously received a free filter if they live in a home where a Medicaid-enrolled child under 19 years of age or a Medicaid-enrolled pregnant person resides.

The City of Harper Woods continues to replace approximately 10% of the city’s known lead service lines each year. To assist us in our efforts to find and replace lead service lines, contact us at (313) 343-2570 if you want your service line inspected. This is the first informational notice you will receive about lead in drinking water. Over the coming weeks, Harper Woods DPW will send a comprehensive public education document about lead in drinking water. All documents and educational materials will be posted at the “Engage Harper Woods” website at harperwoods.citizenlab.co.

We will be collecting samples from 60 homes every six months in 2024. Testing the same homes in each round will help us determine if corrective actions are necessary to reduce corrosion in household plumbing. To assist us in our efforts, contact us at (313) 343-2570 to participate in our drinking water testing program.

Please note, if Harper Woods citizens want to get their blood lead level tested, they may go through their health care provider or make an appointment with the Wayne County Health Department’s Clinic at 734-727-7100. Additional information regarding the lead can be found on harperwoods.citizenlab.co website or on the MDEQ website at: www.michigan.gov/deqleadpublicadvisory or www.michigan.gov/lcr, or if you are operating a food establishment such as a store, restaurant, bar, or food manufacturing establishment please visit this page www.michigan.gov/mdardleadinfo for specific information for food firms.