Water Users to Receive Information on Lead Levels

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

DPW Director Steve Calla visited the Board of Health Tuesday night to introduce a letter and brochure regarding the water quality in Winthrop, specifically lead count.

Calla shared that the Winthrop Water Division found high levels of lead in drinking water in some homes tested.

“Our most recent monitoring for lead indicated that three of 15 homes tested this year had lead levels above the EPA action level of 15 part per billion,” Calla told the board.

For this testing, certain homes and businesses were targeted because they have known lead service lines or aged plumbing.

“The DPW is committed to working with homeowners to have lead service lines replaced,” Calla said.

The town has a 0-percent MWRA loan to remove and replace lead lines with copper in approximately 80 residences as part of a water main replacement project called Contract 5.

“The Winthrop Water Department remains committed to this initiative and hope to remove all remaining lead service lines, approximately 800, by calendar year 2023,” Calla explained.

Calla is required by the DEP to mail and read a public notice that will be sent to water users next week.

Calla explained that the town’s water comes from the MWRA and is strictly monitored.

He suggested a few ways to reduce lead exposure in tap water.

• Flush the tap until cold to ensure the best water quality.
• Never use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking or mixing baby formula.
• Never boil water to remove lead. It actually concentrates it.
• Check your plumbing to make sure it is not adding lead to your water.

Calla said there are a total of 4,500 water service lines in town.