Updated (4/25/16 3:01 p.m.):
On Sunday, April 24, Seattle Public Utilities said that two days of extensive testing in five Seattle homes confirms the city’s water continues to be safe to drink.
The test results are well below the action level for lead of 15 parts per billion (ppb), according to Seattle Public Utilities. The highest level recorded in Seattle’s tests was 1.95 ppb.
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On Thursday, April 21, Mayor Ed Murray had issued a statement to Seattle residents on the Seattle Public Utilities guidance to run their water for two minutes before drinking or cooking if the water has not been run for more than six hours. The statement followed the recent news that high levels of lead have been found in Tacoma’s water system.
A recent study by Tacoma Public Utilities uncovered high levels of lead in the city’s water supply that could affect nearly 2,000 customers across the city. Tacoma Power decided to look for lead in old homes after hearing about the lead crisis in Flint, Michigan.
Murray’s statement Thursday said Seattle has been watching the water testing results in Tacoma for the last 24 hours and although Seattle and Tacoma’s water sources are not connected, Seattle should take any potential lead exposure very seriously.
The statement from Mayor Murray said:
“The Seattle water supply is routinely tested for a range of issues. Our test results indicate that Seattle water surpasses all state and federal standards. For decades, we have had in place a comprehensive strategy designed to help keep lead out of the water supply.
“Seattle takes any potential lead exposure very seriously. Out of an abundance of caution, we will be doing additional water quality testing across our system.
“Today Seattle also echoed the Washington State Department of Health regular guidance to let your water run prior to using it for drinking or cooking, again, merely as a precaution.
“We will continue to update Seattle residents on the Seattle Public Utilities website.”
Tips for how to reduce your risk of lead exposure can be found on the Seattle Public Utilities website here.
