Water testing in Redford Township finds elevated lead levels in some homes - Detroit News

Water testing in Redford Township finds elevated lead levels

Water testing in Redford Township finds elevated lead levels in some homes
Carol Thompson

Redford Township drinking water was above the state action level for lead, a toxic heavy metal that is particularly dangerous to children, the township announced this week.

The Wayne County suburb tested 31 homes with known lead service lines. Four had lead levels of above 15 parts per billion, which triggered the township-wide alert. The 90th percentile for lead reached 21 parts per billion in that round of testing, over the state action level of 15 parts per billion.

Lead is a heavy metal that can cause developmental, behavioral and other health issues in children. Exposure can cause reproductive problems, high blood pressure, memory issues, muscle pain and other health problems in adults. There is no safe level of lead exposure.

The Redford Township test results will trigger a new round of testing in which the township will collect water samples from 60 homes every six months.

Redford Township, a community of about 47,000 people that borders northwest Detroit, gets its water from the Great Lakes Water Authority. There are 22,000 residential and commercial water customers in the township. Water customers who want their service lines inspected can call the water department at (313) 387-2670.

Residents who live in a home with a Medicaid-enrolled child under 19 or a Medicaid-enrolled pregnant person can get a free water filter between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. from Tuesday through Friday at the Redford Township Community Center, 12121 Hemingway St. The Wayne County Health Department will be on site to conduct blood-lead level testing.

Eligible residents who are unable to get a filter at the distribution site this week can pick one up at the Leo Snage Public Services building, 12200 Beech Daly Road, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays starting Nov. 6.

The township recommended these steps to reduce the amount of lead in drinking water:

- Run the water to flush out lead. In homes without a lead service line, run cold water for at least 30 seconds. In homes with a lead service line, run cold water for at least five minutes.
- Use cold water for drinking, cooking and preparing baby formula.

More information is available at the township's online public advisory about the lead exceedance .

ckthompson@detroitnews.com