It’s not the kind of report the city of Cedar Rapids wants to get about its drinking water. About one-third of the samplings of the city water show lead levels that exceed recommendations for children, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
The Gazette reports that a recent survey of the city’s water lines found that up to 17 percent might contain lead. Those lines are jointly owned by the city of Cedar Rapids and property owners. Lead is a dangerous substance that can cause permanent brain damage if consumed. Between 32 and 45 percent of the annual tests had concentrations that exceeded 1 part per billion, the limit suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics. But the Gazette reports that because at least 90 percent of tests revealed levels of less than 15 parts per billion, the city isn’t required to take further action.
According to the Gazette, the city of Cedar Rapids notifies residents of the test results, but they must pursue help on their own if the concentrations are high. The city’s utility director told the Gazette that they will do follow-up testing if they request it. Five of the city’s tests in the past five years have exceeded the federal action level of 15 parts per billion according to the Gazette…