Skip to main content
Search

SRU addresses Northeast Rowan County drinking water customers

SRU addresses Northeast Rowan County drinking water customers

Salisbury-Rowan Utilities (SRU), in collaboration with Rowan County, are addressing drinking water quality with northeast Rowan County residents.

The Northeast Rowan County Water System (NEWS) began distributing public water supply in July 2018 to customers who were previously supplied from private groundwater wells. Rowan County owns the water system, and SRU serves as the Contract Operator and Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC). SRU operates a water treatment plant which supplies the City of Salisbury and NEWS. SRU provides corrosion control treatment by adding a corrosion inhibitor and adjusting the finished water pH. This treatment is designed to minimize the potential for lead contamination. The source of lead in drinking water at some homes in the NEWS is customers’ private service lines and/or internal plumbing.

As part of establishing a new drinking water system, in October of 2018, SRU was required to test for the presence of lead and copper in Rowan County’s NEWS; samples were taken by NEWS customers from their kitchen faucets. The LCR requires NEWS to collect samples from ten (10) homes within the newly constructed water system; the homes that were selected for testing were chosen because of the year the homes were built. Based on the year built, the homes selected may have copper plumbing with lead solder.

The system’s 90th percentile lead concentration has exceeded the Action Level during each 6-month monitoring period, including the most recent round of sampling conducted during the second half of 2021. Three of 10 sample sites had lead levels above the Action Level. The Action Level is the concentration of lead in drinking water that the EPA has determined requires additional actions by a water system to reduce lead exposure.

The County and SRU are taking steps to enhance water quality and further minimize the potential for lead release from private plumbing in NEWS. In 2021, SRU made adjustments to the pH and corrosion inhibitor dose at its water treatment plant. The County is constructing a corrosion control booster station to enhance corrosion control treatment and minimize lead levels within NEWS. The corrosion control booster station is expected to begin operation during the second quarter of 2022.

The following information was forwarded to affected residents:

SUBJECT: IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD IN YOUR DRINKING WATER

Dear Northeast Rowan County Water System Customer,

At Rowan County and Salisbury-Rowan Utilities, our mission is to provide our customers with high quality water service, to promote public health and improve the quality of life. The main purpose of this letter is to alert you that your water may contain lead and copper and notify you of steps you can take to reduce lead exposure. The Northeast Rowan County Water System found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes/buildings; the source of this lead is customers’ private service lines and/or internal plumbing.  LEAD CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND YOUNG CHILDREN.

PLEASE READ THIS LETTER CLOSELY TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE LEAD IN YOUR DRINKING WATER.

Health Effects of Lead

Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones, and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development.

Sources of Lead

Lead is a common metal found in the environment. The main sources of lead exposure are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust or soil, and some plumbing materials. In addition, lead can be found in certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, food, and cosmetics. Other sources include exposure in the work place and exposure from certain hobbies (lead can be carried on clothing or shoes). Drinking water is also a possible source of lead exposure. Most sources of drinking water have no lead or very low levels of lead. Most lead gets into drinking water after the water leaves the local well or treatment plant and comes into contact with household plumbing materials containing lead. These include lead pipes, and lead solder (commonly used until 1986), as well as faucets, valves, and other components made of brass. Brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free,” may contribute lead to drinking water. EPA estimates that 10 to 20 percent of a person’s potential exposure to lead may come from drinking water. Infants who consume mostly formula mixed with lead-containing water can receive 40 to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water.

Important Steps You Can Take to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water

Run your water to flush out lead.

If water hasn’t been used for several hours, run water for at least 15-30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking.  Note:  You may want to capture the initial running water for uses other than drinking or cooking, such as for watering plants.

Regularly clean faucet aerators.

Remove particulate matter that may contain lead.

Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula.

Lead dissolves more easily into hot water.

Do not boil water to remove lead.

Boiling water will not reduce lead.

Look for alternative sources or treatment of water.

You may want to consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter.  Be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead or contact NSF International at 1-800-NSF-8010 or www.nsf.org for performance standards for water filters.

If your water contains lead or copper above the Action Level established by the USEPA, Rowan County will provide to you a point-of-use filter that will serve as an interim measure to protect consumers from lead exposure in drinking water. Replacement cartridges will be provided to each consumer at the manufacturer’s recommended interval until 90th percentile lead levels in the NEWS are below the Action Level.  For questions with your Brita pitcher and filter replacements, please direct calls to the 120Water support line at 1-800-674-7961.

Test your water for lead.

If you have not already had your water tested for lead or need a replacement pitcher filter kit, please contact Rowan County Administration at: 704-216-8180 to find out how to get your water tested, and the location of labs that perform private testing.

Get your child tested.

Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about exposure.

Identify if your plumbing fixtures contain lead (replace, if necessary).

Brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free,” may contribute lead to drinking water.  The law currently allows end-use fixtures, such as faucets, with wetted surfaces containing a maximum weighted average of 0.25% lead to be labeled as “lead-free.”  Note:  Prior to January 4, 2014, fixtures could contain up to 8% lead and be labeled as “lead free.”  Visit the NSF Web site at www.nsf.org to learn more about lead-containing plumbing fixtures.

For More Information

Please visit the Rowan County’s website at https://rowancountync.gov/1662/Water for more information about what Rowan County and Salisbury-Rowan Utilities are doing to reduce lead exposure in customers’ private service lines and/or internal plumbing within the Northeast Rowan County Water System.

Please contact Rowan County Administration at: 704-216-8180 to find out how to get your water tested for lead or if you need a replacement pitcher filter kit. For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA's website at www.epa.gov/lead or contact your health care provider.

Print

Name:
Email:
Subject:
Message:
x

Media Kit

Media outlets and journalists can get helpful resources in one place.

Go to Media Kit
Para leer los boletines traducidos al español, visite: www.salisburync.gov/NoticiasEspañol

Monthly Newsletter

 TitleDescription
11/2024Holiday Events | Safe Shopping Tips | Toss The Grease | Greenway Committee | 130 S. Main St. Survey
10/2024Halloween Safety Tips | Sculpture Show Call For Neighborhoods | Recycling Do's and Don'ts | Leaf Collection Guidelines and Map | Fall Spruce Up Week
09/2024Downtown Sewer Rehab | BrewFest at BTG | BlockWork Volunteers | Neighborhood Beautification Grant | Legacy Mural
08/2024Take A Tree Tour | Officer Awarded For Saving Baby | Sculptures in the Spotlight | Go Out on a limb for the Tree Board
07/2024National Night Out | Footbridge Repairs | Approved City Budget | Citizen's Academy | Hurricane Prep
06/2024EDK Awards | Street Repaving | City Budget | Rec/Senior Center Survey | Spruce Up Week
05/2024Cheerwine Festival: Band Lineup, T-Shirt Contest Winner, Free Shuttles, Safety Guidelines and Ways to Stay Connected.
04/2024Strategic Plan | Mental Health Crisis Line | BlockWork Call For Neighborhoods | Paint the Pavement Call For Artists | Meet the Sculpture Show Artists
03/2024Vote on Cheerwine Festival T-shirt Design | What to do for Water Line Breaks | Sign Up For RoCo Alerts | Spring Spruce Up Week
02/2024Sign Up To Steer Salisbury | Save the Date for Cheerwine Festival | City Begins Budget Process | Protect Your Pipes This Winter
01/2024Holiday Decor Contest Winners | MLK Celebration Weekend | Tour Wines and Downtown | Beautify Your Neighborhood!
12/2023Public Art | Holiday Decor Contest | Main Street Project | Winter Spruce Up Week
11/2023Holiday Events | Toss The Grease | Housing Survey | Bike Giveaway | Sculpture Show
10/2023Dixonville Cemetery Memorial Dedication | Halloween Safety Tips | Empowering Women in Law Enforcement | Leaf Collection and Map
09/2023Rowan Creek Week | Leaf Collection | BlockWork Volunteers | New Deputy City Manager | Bell Tower Brewfest
08/2023An Outdoor Art Adventure | Summer Program Inspires Youth | Salisbury Invests In Community | City Changes Up Departments
07/2023Hurricane Season | RoCo's Homeless Task Force | Waste Assistance Program | Citizen's Academy | Community Fair and National Night Out
06/2023Dive into Local Pool | Humanitarian Awards | Summer Spruce Up Week | City Budget Updates
05/2023Neon Trees Headline Cheerwine Festival | Summers Camps | Smoke Alarms | Lawn Tips | Street Resurfacing | May is Bike Month
04/2023Donations for Homeless | City Election Process | Landscape of the Month | Main Street Awards| Spring Spruce Up
03/2023Beautify Salisbury - Litter Sweeps, BlockWork, Adopt-A-Street, We Dig Salisbury | Cheerwine Festival | Salisbury311
01/2023Downtown Decor Displays Holiday Spirit | MLK Celebration | Humanitarian Nominations | Wine About Winter Tickets On Sale | Reader Survey
01/2023Downtown Decor Displays Holiday Spirit | MLK Celebration | Humanitarian Nominations | Wine About Winter Tickets On Sale | Reader Survey
11/2022Holiday Events | Salisbury Youth Council Inducts New Members | Tips to Shop Safe | Toss the Grease
10/2022Tips for Trick-or-Treaters | United Way Rowan | Crime Prevention Month | 4th Cultivating Community Conversations | Leaf Collection
09/2022Bell Tower BREWFEST | BlockWork | Salisbury Police Foundation | Transit Month | Rowan Creek Week
08/2022Kudos To Lifeguards | Grant to Fund Flood, Road Sensors | Funds for Family Water Bills | City Awarded For Good Health
07/2022Sculpture Show | Citizen's Academy | Hurricane Season Tips | West End Survey | Council Approves Budget
06/2022Pool Opens For Summer | Reels and Riffs: Movie and Music Series | Wine About Winter ... In Summertime | Summer Spruce Up Week
05/2022New City Manager | Cheerwine Festival | Local Humanitarian Awards | BlockWork Applications Open
04/2022Two Headline Bands To Rock Cheerwine Festival | Spotlight on Fire Safety | Salisbury Locals Win Big at NC Main Street Awards
03/2022Cheerwine Festival Returns | 5 Ways to Pay Your BIll | SPD Receives Grant | Spring Spruce Up Week
03/2022Cheerwine Festival Returns | 5 Ways to Pay Your BIll | SPD Receives Grant | Spring Spruce Up Week
02/2022Interim City Manager | Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes | Apply For A Board | City Begins Budget Process | Employee Spotlight
01/2022Holiday Storefront Awards | Social District Proposed | EDK Nominations | Wine About Winter | Winter Spruce Up Week
01/2022Holiday Storefront Awards | Social District Proposed | EDK Nominations | Wine About Winter | Winter Spruce Up Week
12/2021Be A Part of Our Public Art | SRU Recognized For Quality | Don't let FOG Take Your Holiday Down the Drain
11/2021Bell Tower Green Now Open | Keep Salisbury Beautiful | Shopping Tips For Black Friday
10/2021Fire Prevention Week | BlockWork Looking For Volunteers | Leaf Collection Map
09/2021Safe, Clean Transit | McCoy Road Culvert Replaced | Cheerwine Festival Music Lineup
06/2021Summer Camps | Transit Director Award | Hurricane Tips | Wine About Winter
06/2021Summer Camps | Transit Director Award | Hurricane Tips | Wine About Winter
04/2021School Officers | New Look For Downtown | Local Humanitarians Receive EDK Awards | Employee Spotlight
04/2021School Officers | New Look For Downtown | Local Humanitarians Receive EDK Awards | Employee Spotlight
02/2021New Fire Station & Memorial Event | Protect Your Pipes | Join A Board Or Commission | Save The Date For Cheerwine | Employee Spotlight
01/2021Holiday Storefront Winners, Celebrate MLK, Main St. Plan, Nominate A Local Hero, Funds For Fire Suppression
12/2020SRU Exceeds Water Standard | Bring On 2021 Virtual New Year's Eve | Public Input Wanted
11/2020Christmas Bike Program Returns | Showcase Your Art In Salisbury | Give The Gift Of Water | Be Safe This Black Friday
10/2020ACCESS16 Now WSRG-TV | Voting Coming Up Fast | Volunteer For BlockWork | RCUW Donates Cameras To SPD
10/2020ACCESS16 Now WSRG-TV | Voting Coming Up Fast | Volunteer For BlockWork | RCUW Donates Cameras To SPD
10/2020ACCESS16 Now WSRG-TV | Voting Coming Up Fast | Volunteer For BlockWork | RCUW Donates Cameras To SPD
10/2020ACCESS16 Now WSRG-TV | Voting Coming Up Fast | Volunteer For BlockWork | RCUW Donates Cameras To SPD
09/2020Dixonville Memorial Phase 2 | Leaf Map | Census 2020 | ADA/Parantransit Service | Go Transit Month | Safe Exchange Zone
07/2020Citizen's Academy | Mobile Recreation | Keep Our Parks Beautiful | Recycling Can Swap | Employee Spotlight
06/2020 Virtual Festival Is Big Hit | Hurricane Season | Spring Spruce Up | City Prepares Next Year's Budget | Flush Smart | 2020 Census
05/2020Virtual Cheerwine Festival | From The City Manager | Play At Home | BlockWork | From The Mayor | Alternative Bill Pay
04/2020City Response to COVID-19 | Helpful Resource | CAC/Tree Board Awards | Spring Spruce Up \ SPD Engages With Community
03/2020Be Part of the Cheer | EDK Awards | 2020 Census | Hurley Park Spring Celebration | Forward 2040 | Fire Station #6
02/2020Weathering The Storm | Nixle Is Now RoCo Alerts | EyeOnWater Is Smart On Money | Cheerwine Festival Returns May 16 | Employee Spotlight | Census 2020
01/2020EDK Nominations | Runner-Friendly Community | Start/Change Water Services | Cheerwine Applications | Employee Spotlight | Winterize Your Pipes | Winter Spruce Up
11/2019Bike Giveaway | Plan For Downtown's Future | Don't Get Clogged | Lost Families | Sculpture Show
10/2019Fire Prevention Week | City Park Lake | Forward 2040 | Fall Spruce Up | Be Ready To Vote | Employee Spotlight | Leaf Collection Map
10/2019Fire Prevention Week | City Park Lake | Forward 2040 | Fall Spruce Up | Be Ready To Vote | Employee Spotlight | Leaf Collection Map
09/2019Butterfly Release | Scoop the Poop | Dog Swim Party | Transit Month | Blockwork | Neighborhood Officer Map
07/2019Keep Salisbury Beautiful | Save The Date for Cheerwine Fest 2020 | Back To School | National Night Out | Beat the Summer Heat
06/2019Sculpture Show Returns | Summer Camps | Hurricane Season Tips | Weather Alerts | Pool Hours | #PositiveGossip | Employee Spotlight | Summer Spruce Up | Celebrate Garbage Man Day
05/2019Look Behind the Scenes | Cheerwine Festival | BlockWork Accepting Applications | #FeelingCuteChallenge | Watch Your Water Usage with EyeOnWater
02/2019Cheerwine Festival Vendor Applications Open | Get Involved, Apply Now | Fair Housing Seeks Volunteers | Council Retreat Open to Public | Snow Safety | Employee Spotlight | Main St. Conference in Salisbury
02/2019Cheerwine Festival Vendor Applications Open | Get Involved, Apply Now | Fair Housing Seeks Volunteers | Council Retreat Open to Public | Snow Safety | Employee Spotlight | Main St. Conference in Salisbury
01/2019EDK Nominations | Holiday Storefront Awards | Celebrating MLK Weekend | Employee Spotlight | Winter Spruce Up Week | Transit Survey | New Tools Keeps An Eye On Water

Subscribe to our newsletter

También disponible en español

Subscribe
Copyright 2024 by City of Salisbury, NC Terms Of UsePrivacy Statement
Back To Top