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Mar 28, 2024

Filter distribution begins after lead found in Three Rivers drinking water

City of Three Rivers, Michigan. Joel Bissell | MLive.com THREE RIVERS, MI -- Residents who meet eligibility requirements can now pick up a free lead water filter from the city of Three Rivers. The

City of Three Rivers, Michigan. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

THREE RIVERS, MI -- Residents who meet eligibility requirements can now pick up a free lead water filter from the city of Three Rivers.

The city recently found lead concentrations in drinking water at some homes exceeding the action level.

Filter distribution is Tuesday Aug. 8, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Three Rivers office, 1110 Hill Street, Three Rivers, and from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Department of Public Services, 1015 S. Lincoln Ave., Three Rivers.

Distribution will continue from both locations Monday through Friday through the end of August at the times above.

To receive a free filter, people must be a resident of the city, on the city’s water system and meet one of the following eligibility criteria:

Recipients must also meet one of the following criteria:

Officials ask people to bring a driver’s license or photo ID to confirm they live in the city. Officials ask anyone with no license or photo ID to bring a copy of their city water bill.

Each eligible household can get one filter. Houses that have multiple units will be provided one filter per apartment unit, health officials said.

Eligible residents will receive either a PUR filter that attaches to the end of your standard kitchen faucet, or a BRITA filtering water pitcher, depending on the type of faucet in use.

After the initial filter distribution, residents who receive a filter will need a new cartridge for the filter in six months. After receiving the first replacement cartridge, it is estimated that residents will need replacement cartridges roughly every four months afterward.

The city recently collected samples from 47 homes. Six homes had results over 15 parts per billion (ppb) of lead in the water.

The lead concentration found in the 90th percentile for the city’s water supply is 19 ppb, which exceeds the Action Level of 15 ppb. To meet the state’s requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule, 90% of the samples collected must be below the action level.

An “Action Level Exceedance” means that more than 10% of the homes tested have results over 15 ppb. The exceedance triggers additional actions, including educational outreach to customers, ongoing sampling every six months, assessing the corrosivity of the water and service line replacement.

The “Action Level” is a measure of corrosion control effectiveness; it is not a health-based standard. The goal for lead in drinking water is 0 ppb. There is no safe level of lead in the blood, the city said.

Additional information regarding lead, using a filter, and the health effects of lead is available at www.bhsj.org or https://www.michigan.gov/mileadsafe. Your can also call the offices at 269-273-2161 and use option 9 to speak with someone on staff.

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