Recent media coverage has raised some questions about the Board of Water Works of Pueblo (Pueblo Water) testing for lead content in the water at the Pueblo City Schools (D60) and in the homes of Pueblo Water customers.
Water treatment is a complex science and the certified professionals at Pueblo Water who carry out this critical function are always available to discuss their work protecting Pueblo’s public health.
If there is any lead in drinking water at a particular address, it has leached into the water from lead content in the customer-owned water line serving that address or the plumbing within the building.
Where lead is detected in a water sample at greater than 15 ppb, actions must be taken by a water utility to protect its customers from exposure to that lead.
Those actions in Pueblo include regular testing for lead in homes known to have lead service lines and providing information to customers about flushing their water lines or using water filters to reduce their risk of exposure.
Pueblo’s CCR shows our drinking water meets all federal and state requirements for drinking water quality and is available for viewing on Pueblo Water’s website at pueblowater.org/images/pdfs/CCR2018.pdf.
Additional water quality information (beyond that required by law) is provided on Pueblo Water’s website.
What more is Pueblo Water doing about lead?
Beyond what is required by federal and state laws, Pueblo Water believes the best protection for residents with lead service lines is to remove the potential sources of lead.
Although not required by law, Pueblo Water initiated a voluntary agreement to conduct testing for lead in the water in D60 schools at no charge to the school district.