Public Hearing Held To Ensure Philadelphia Has Safe Drinking Water
By Trang Do
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The water crisis in Flint, MI is raising concerns about the safety of Philadelphia's drinking water.
The City Council held a public hearing Monday to discuss best practices for the water department.
The council took no action, but Councilwoman At-Large Helen Gym called the hearing to explore if the water department and city government can do more to ensure that Philadelphians have the safest drinking water possible.
"Our water is very safe and we are not Flint," said water commissioner Debra McCarty.
An estimated 50,000-to-60,000 properties in the city have lead service lines that can cause contamination. McCarty admitted many homeowners are unaware.
"We need to improve our public outreach," she said. "We're open to suggestions on how we can do that, that if you have lead in your plumbing there are certain precautions you should take."
The water department adds a chemical to the water supply that works to prevent pipe corrosion. But Pam Africa of southwest Philadelphia questioned if the city is doing enough.
"There is no safe level for poison," she said. "What we've got to be talking about is eliminating the problem and that's why I'm here."
This is far from just a Philadelphia problem. A 2015 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection report showed 37 water systems in that state with elevated lead and copper violations.
Dr. Jerald Fagliano, a professor at Drexel University's School of Public Health said plumbing in even relatively new homes could also pose a lead contamination risk.
"This is a national, a universal problem," he said. "Any place with, that has housing stock built before the late 1980's when lead was used in solder, has this exact same problem."
Short of replacing lead pipes, the only thing homeowners can really do if they suspect they have lead plumbing is to run the cold water for several minutes before using it.
The water department will also send out a crew to test your water for elevated lead levels for free.
