Skip to content Skip to main navigation Skip to footer

Notice From The Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa (MWAA)

Please direct any questions or concerns to MWAA at 724-375-5525

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD

IN YOUR DRINKING WATER

 

Este informe contiene información importante acerca de su agua potable.  Haga que alguien lo traduzca para usted, o hable con alguien que lo entienda.

 

The Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa (MWAA) found elevated levels of lead in drinking water tap samples in some homes. Elevated levels of Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Your Water(1)

  1. Run your water to flush out lead. Run water for 60 seconds to flush lead from interior plumbing or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking, if it hasn’t been used for several hours.
  2. Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water.  Do not use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula.
  3. Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
  4. Look for alternative sources or treatment of water. You may want to consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter.  Read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead or contact NSF International at 800‑NSF-8010 or www.nsf.org for information on performance standards for water filters.  Be sure to maintain and replace a filter device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to protect water quality.
  5. Test your water for lead. Call us at 724-375-5525 to find out how to get your water tested for lead.
  6. Get your child’s blood tested. Contact your local health department or health care provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead, if you are concerned about exposure.
  7. Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead. New brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free” may contribute lead to drinking water.  Until 2014, the law allowed end-use brass fixtures, such as faucets, with up to 8% lead to be labeled as “lead-free.”

What Happened?  What is being done?

Beginning in 2020, MWAA made extensive efforts to identify lead service lines at residential sites across the system and identify locations for lead and copper rule compliance sampling and line replacement. One-hundred nineteen (119) residencies with confirmed lead service lines were asked to participate in compliance sampling; thirty-four (34) residential customers agreed to participate in this sampling. In June – September 2023, MWAA collected thirty-four (34) lead and copper samples and submitted them to an independent PaDEP accredited laboratory for analysis. Sampling results showed an exceedance of the 90th percentile action level for lead whereby five (5) of the 34 samples had concentrations that exceeded the EPA lead action level of 0.015 milligrams per liter.  The 90th percentile lead level from this sampling was 0.0223 milligrams per liter. MWAA is actively conducting further investigation to identify additional residential homes to conduct lead and copper sampling; public participation in this voluntary sampling is encouraged for residential homes with confirmed lead service lines and/or interior lead plumbing.

 

MWAA has proceeded with steps to reduce the lead level, including analysis of water quality parameters at locations across the distribution system which will be utilized as part of a Corrosion Control Treatment (CCT) feasibility study.  This CCT feasibility study will evaluate options to reduce corrosivity of the drinking water with the goal of lowering lead levels to achieve compliance with EPA requirements.

 

MWAA has commenced construction of a new Water Filtration Plant, which will replace the existing Water Softening Plant constructed in 1941. The new Water Filtration Plant is designed to reduce Iron and Manganese concentrations in drinking water to address “dirty water” complaints. Included in the Water Filtration Plant PaDEP Permit Application are provisions for corrosion control if necessary. Construction of the new Water Filtration Plant began in 2022 and is expected to be complete and operational by the fall of 2024.

 

The next round of lead and copper compliance samples will be completed by June 30, 2024. If the analysis results show that the lead concentration exceeds the 90th percentile action level (0.015 mg/L), MWAA will prepare an interim permit for submission to PaDEP for implementation of Corrosion Control Treatment Techniques.

 

For More Information:

Call MWAA at 724-375-5525 or visit our website at www.aliquippawater.com.  For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/lead, or contact your health care provider.

Please share this information with all other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly. This notice is being provided to you by MWAA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP).

PWS ID #5040006                                                                                                                                             Date Distributed:  02/09/2024

Footnote:(1) “Important Information About Lead in your Drinking Water,” Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Safe Drinking water, 3930-FM-BSDW0137A.