Should you be worried about lead in your water? If your home was built before 1989, your water could be at risk.

On Aug. 25, Okeechobee Utility Authority (OUA) reported routine testing found lead levels in nine Okeechobee homes exceeded the maximum safe level for drinking water established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

OUA Executive Director Greg Kennedy said they conduct random water samplings of OUA customers' homes annually. He said they tested water from 70 homes, in accordance with Florida Department of Health (FDOH) guidelines. Nine of the samples contained lead above the maximum contaminant level allowed in drinking water under EPA rules.

The EPA standard for safe drinking water is no more than 15 parts per billion (ppb) lead. Kennedy said lead levels in the nine affected homes ranged from 16 to 38 ppb.

Kennedy said the affected homeowners were alerted by written notices hand-delivered to their homes as soon as the results came back. The Okeechobee County Office of Emergency Management was also notified. OUA customers were notified by phone.

Kennedy said the samples with lead levels above the EPA standard came from homes built before 1989. Follow-up testing found the OUA lines have not been compromised. The lead is believed to come from the plumbing in these older homes.

In 1989, Florida banned lead in plumbing components, Kennedy said. The plumbing in homes built before 1989 could contain lead. Some of that lead could be absorbed into water that stays in the lines. The simplest solution is to let the water run for a few minutes to flush it out, he added.

He offered tips for those who live in older homes:

• Use water filters designed to treat for lead.
• Clean the aerators on your sink fixtures.
• Use cold water for drinking and cooking.

OUA customers can request a lead test by contacting the Okeechobee Utility Authority at 863-763-9460.

After OUA’s first notification about the lead tests, Okeechobee County School District took the precaution of providing students who attend schools built before 2014 with bottled water until water samples from schools could be tested.  On Aug. 27, the district announced tests from the schools found no elevated levels of lead in the water.

Older homes using well water may also be at risk. Homeowners can have well water tested through a licensed laboratory. In Okeechobee, the health department recommends Big Lake Labs, 610 N. Parrott Avenue.

Lead is a naturally occurring element found in the earth’s crust, according to Florida Department of Health, but can be toxic in high levels.

“Lead can be found in all parts of our environment – the air, the soil, the water, and even inside our homes. Much of our exposure comes from human activities including the use of fossil fuels, including past use of leaded gasoline, some types of industrial facilities and past use of lead-based paint in homes,” the FDOH website explains.

In addition to older plumbing, possible exposure sources of lead include:

• Lead-based paint in older homes -- Lead-based paint was banned in 1978, but homes built before 1978 could still contain lead-based paint. Home renovation projects and repair activities that disturb lead-based paint can put children at risk for exposure to hazardous lead dust if proper precautions are not used.
• Outdoor soils -- Soil can contain lead from exterior paint or be contaminated with lead from the past use of leaded gas in cars. FDOH advises Floridians to: Remove their shoes at the door to prevent tracking in dust and dirt; regularly wash children’s hands and toys; and, prevent children from playing in the bare soil.
• Foods and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery – Avoid using containers, cookware and tableware that has not been shown to be lead free.

According to FDOH, children younger than 6 years are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, which can severely affect mental and physical development. Parents concerned about their child’s exposure to lead are advised to consult health care provider, who can use a blood test to detect lead poisoning.

The Florida Department of Health also recommends that well owners have their water tested for bacteria and nitrate at least once a year.