Recently the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered 22 small public water systems in 19 towns across Arizona to monitor their drinking water for lead and copper, as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The water systems, which serve populations that range in size from 25 to 400 people.
The systems are required to monitor the drinking water in local homes once before Dec. 15 2003 and once before June 2004. Failure to monitor could result in fines of up to $27,500 per day.
"Drinking water systems must ensure the drinking water they provide to customers is safe at all times," said Alexis Strauss, director of EPA's Water Division. "When public water systems fail to conduct required monitoring, we cannot determine if it's safe to drink. Protecting public health is our top priority."
Since 1992, the EPA has required public water systems to monitor drinking water regularly for lead and copper. If contaminants are detected, systems are required to correct the problem through treatment or pipe replacement.
There are 650 public water systems serving small communities in Arizona that are required to monitor drinking water for lead and copper. The systems serving 100 or more people are required to monitor at least ten homes. Systems serving fewer than 100 people are required to monitor at least five homes.
The EPA has determined that lead and copper can pose a health concern at certain exposure levels. Relatively low levels of lead can cause high blood pressure and kidney problems in adults. In children and infants, lead has been linked to delays in physical and mental development, including learning disabilities. Copper can cause liver and kidney damage at elevated levels.
Source: EPA
