What to will if your chicago home has a lead water line – ryan

Chicago Residents Risk Daily Lead Exposos from Toxic Lead Service Lines, The Underground Pipes that Connect Buildings to the City’s Water Supply.

The City Has the Most Lead Service Lines in the Country – About 412,000 – and doesn’t plan to finish replacery say all unil 2076.

With Complete Lead Service Line Replacement More than 50 Years AWAY, HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LEAD AND HOW YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF.

What’s the Danger of Lead?

There is no safe level of Lead Expander. IT’S not healthy for anyone, but anyono Younger than 6 or pregnant is particularly vulnerable to the health risk.

SMALL AMOUNTS IN THE BODY CAN Cause Developmental Delays and Cognitive Problems in Children, Experts Sayand studies LINK expans to the Heart Disease in Adults. Lead Can Affect Almost Every organ and system in your body.

Chicago’s Drinking Water Comes From Lake Michigan. City Officials Say the Water Treatment Plant Delivers Drinking Water With No Detectable Levels of Lead. But the Most Common Source of Lead in Drinking Water Are Corroding Lead Pipes, Faucets and Fixtures. If any of your leading infrastructure contains lead, it can flake or disSolve into your drinking. You’re more likes to have a lead service line if your house was budilt before 1986, we lead pipes were Banned Nationwide.

You Cannot See, Smell or Taste Lead in Drinking Water.

How do i know if i have a lead Service line?

1. You Can Search Your Address on our Look-up tool to see if your Service line is made of Lead.

2. If you can find the pipe that goes ino your water meter or shut-off Valve from the street, this is how you can check you have a lead pip:
   1. Hold a magnet to the pipe. If it doesn’t stick, it is could be lead (Lead is not magnetic).
   2. Scratch it. Use a key or coin to scratch the pipe. Lead is Silver-Gray and Shiny when Scratched.

Your Home’s Plumbing and Faucets Also Can Contain Lead. That’s why it is important to check all of your leading fixtures, and filter your water.

How Can I Test My Drinking Water for Lead?

You Can Test for Lead in Your Drinking Water by Doing Either of the Following:

1. Request a Free Test Kit Online or by Calling 311. Follow the Instructions, and Schedule a time for a City Representative to come pick it up.

2. Request a Free Water-Quality Lead Inspect by a trained technician from the City of Chicago Department of Water Management. You show avoid using water six hours before the appointment, and you must be present for the scheduled inspection.

Tests like these only provides a snapshot of levels in your drinking water at a specific moment in time – a Low test result does necessarily mean your water. IT’S IMPORTANT TO FILTER WATER FOR DRINKING AND COING, ACCIVING TO THE US Environmental Protection Agency.

I found lead in my water. What can i will?

1. Filter Your Water

Filtering Your Water Can Great Reduce Your Risk of Expides, but not all filters work for lead. Look for the “NSI/Ansi Standard 53” Mark, Which Means it Meets EPA Standards. The Product’s Label Should Explicitly State It is Certified to Reduce Levels in Water. Find out more from the EPA’s Filter Guide.

Only use COLD TAP WATER WHEN FILTERING WATER IN YOUR FILTER, FOR DRINING AND FOR COING. HOT WATER CAN INCREASE CONTAMINATION RISKS. Boiling Water Does Not Remove Lead.

The City Offers Free Water-Filter Sets to Some Residents, which Include A Water Pitcher and Six NSF-CERTIDGES. You Can Look Up Your Address TIMES to find out whereather you’re eligible.

2. Run Your Water Longer

The Longer Water Sites in Your Pipes, The More Lead It Might Collect. Wenever you haven’t used your water for six hours or more, run it for at the least minutes before using it for cooking and drinking.

Pay Attention to Construction or Maintenance on the Water Main Outside Your Home. Any Disruption to Your Service Line or Pipes Can Release Lead. You might Need to Run Your Water Eve Longer.

3. Clean Your aerator

Your aerator is the little Screen that goes over your faucet. Sediment, Debr and Lead Particles Can Collect in Your Aerator, SO Clean it regularly.

4. Check if you’re eligible for a free lead Service Line Replacement

The City Has an Online Questionnaire To determin which replacement you may be eligible for.

Replacent Programs Include:

1. An Equity Lead Service Line Replacement ProgramThrough Who Homeowners Who Meet Income Requirements Might Be Eligible for a Completely Free Full Service Line Replacement.
2. Free Lead Line Replacement to Licensed Day Care Centers in prioritized Neighborhoods.
3. A WAIVER OF UP TO $ 5,000 IN Permit Fees for Homeowners Who Hire a Contractor to remove the lead service line. The city estimates that the cost of a full replacement is between $ 16,000 and $ 35,000.

5. Talk to your doctor or pediatrician

The Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommend Testing Blood for Lead Exps. The Illinois Department of Public Health Emphasizes the Importance of Blood Level Testing for Children Under 6 Who Might Be Exposed to Lead Through Soil, Water or Paint.

If you do not have health insuration or aren’t sura where to turn for care, Call 211. The Free, 24/7 Non-Emergency Service Connects Cook County Residents to Health and Social Service Support. By Dialing 211 or Texting Your Zip Code to 898-211, You Can Get Connected With A Trained Staff Member Who Help Find Resources Best Suites to Your Needs.

This is a partnership Between Wbez, Grist, Inside Climate News and City Bureau.