OWASA testing drinking water
Published: Sat, May. 19, 2007 12:00AM
Modified Sat, May. 19, 2007 05:12AM
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closeCARRBORO -- The Orange Water and Sewer Authority has begun testing the drinking water at several new buildings to evaluate whether there is a link between newly installed plumbing and the potential for lead contamination. OWASA serves the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community including UNC-Chapel Hill.
OWASA's testing follows the university's recent finding of lead contamination in the drinking water in three new buildings and one recently renovated building.
Under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the limit on lead is 15 parts per billion. One part per billion corresponds to one penny in $10 million.
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In coming weeks, OWASA will test for lead in water from new buildings including homes, businesses and public buildings that are less than two years old, the utility said in a release. As of Thursday, OWASA had received results from seven buildings. In four buildings, the results were below the detectable level of 3 parts per billion, and results in the other three locations were between 4.1 and 5 parts per billion.
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