Providence—as one of the nation’s oldest cities—is now also facing a severe health hazard: lead in the drinking water system. Specifically, it has gone over the recommended limit six times since 2010, as indicated by samples taken from tap water in Providence, Cranston, Johnston, and North Providence.
According to the Providence Water Supply Board, the issue is the lead service pipes that run from the public main to the curb and from the curb into private homes. Those with the highest risks are in homes serviced by utility-owned pipes made of lead that connect the public main line to private property, which includes close to 14,000 homes or 20 percent of all customers. However, many more homes are suspected to have privately owned lead pipes. While efforts to replace thousands of public pipes were initiated some time ago, these efforts slowed, as some were concerned that it was actually making the issue worse by stirring up lead. Really, no level of lead exposure is safe.
Providence Facing Multiple Contamination Issues
Many public health advocates have called on the state to do more and replace the whole pipe. According to news sources, the high costs associated with such efforts have deterred the government from doing so. And yet, at the same time, Providence is also facing contamination issues due to lead-based paint dust that has been found throughout the area in homes and in the soil. Health officials are concerned that this paint dust is the primary reason that children in the area have elevated levels of lead in their blood; however, many point out that the contaminated water system is contributing to the problem.
What about Elsewhere?
According to news sources, nearly 1,400 water systems serving over 3.5 million Americans contain excessive levels of lead, and have tested at these levels since 2013. Residents that live in these areas have been advised to let faucets flush and, for homes that have lead above 15 parts per billion, prevent the corrosion that leads to lead leaching. In 2014, Providence’s level was tested at 16 parts per billion in 2014 and 30 parts per billion in 2009 and 2013.
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