High lead levels found in several homes served by Sebring

Staff report

SEBRING

Pregnant women and children who use water supplied by the Village of Sebring are advised to stop drinking the water until further testing is conducted.

Village Manager Richard Giroux says he issued the advisory Thursday night as a precautionary measure after tests revealed lead levels exceeding the federal action level of 15 parts per billion, according to 21 WFMJ-TV news, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner.

Lead levels of 21 parts per billion were found in seven homes in the distribution system, which serves 8,100 homes and businesses in Sebring and Beloit, according to Giroux.

He said the water coming from the water department is safe, noting that Sebring recently spent $5 million installing carbon filters.

However, he says the lead could be a result of what he calls aggressive water, also known as corrosive water, which can dissolve materials, such as lead or copper, with which it comes in contact.

Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Other residents are advised to reduce their potential lead exposure by running the water for 30 seconds to two minutes, until it is noticeably colder, to flush out the lead before using it.