MUSKEGON, Mich. — Muskegon Department of Public Works says they have sent out around 10,000 notices informing residents that their water service lines are made of lead, or have been connected to lead.
A spokesperson from the Environmental Protection Agency told 13 ON YOUR SIDE that these notices are in compliance with the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements from October.
The final rule requires municipalities to update their inventory of lead service lines, and issue notices to homes until all lead materials have been removed.
The notices sent to residents in Muskegon are similar to notices sent out by other communities across the state, as it informs a homeowner if their service lines are made of lead or are potentially made of lead.
It then provides information on the health effects of lead, along with steps that can help reduce exposure.
Dan Vanderheide, Director of Muskegon Public Works, says they are required to test the water from home faucets and reassures residents that their water remains safe to drink.
"We're looking for certain levels that have been deemed hazardous by the EPA and by the State Department of Environmental Regulations, and they set limits that they have determined are dangerous or hazardous," said Vanderheide. "The city has never exceeded those limits."
He says that while there is some amount of lead in the water, it is at a level that has been deemed safe and they are actively working to eliminate.
While the notices are precautionary, Vanderheide says they provide beneficial information.
"It offers many very specific ways to reduce your lead exposure, including filtering, changing out your faucets particularly if they're of a certain age, as well as running your water and taking certain precautions before you drink it," said Vanderheide.
Other tips listed in the notice from Muskegon include using cold tap water for drinking and cooking, cleaning the faucets aerator and having their water tested for lead.
The EPA's rule also requires all lead water service lines to be replaced in the next 10 years, an undertaking Vanderheide says Muskegon began back in 2019.
"We have replaced about 3,000 lead service lines since 2019," said Venderheide. "We will be complete replacing lead service lines, assuming the funding that we're using for that process continues to be available, in the mid-2030s."
Muskegon Public Works encourages anyone with questions or concerns to contact them at 231-724-4100.
Their website also includes answers to frequently asked questions, a video discussing this matter and an interactive map showing all water service lines, their materials and if they have been recently replaced.
Their website can be found here.