Council ActionJoint Committees on Children & Youth and Public Health & Human Services
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WHEREAS, A man-made crisis in Flint, Michigan, wherein the city’s water source was switched as a cost-saving measure without adequate testing or protective measures, has drawn national attention to the potential danger posed by water-borne lead; and
WHEREAS, Lead exposure has been demonstrated to have significant and permanent damaging effects on neurological development, particularly affecting babies and children; and
WHEREAS, Household water has been estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency to compose 10-20% of recorded human exposure to lead, and 40-60% for babies using formula; and
WHEREAS, Federal regulation through the 1991 Lead and Copper Rule prescribes a regime of testing as well as preventative and reactive measures in order to limit the presence of lead in household water; and
WHEREAS, Unlike the situation in Flint, the Philadelphia Water Department engages in regular lead testing and deploys anti-corrosion treatment to ensure water quality, as well as seeks to follow best practices in reducing the risk of lead exposure to safe levels; and
WHEREAS, Some dwellings within Philadelphia still contain aged lead service lines or lead components; and
WHEREAS, Homeowners and renters may not be aware of measures that can reduce lead exposure, ranging from pipe replacement to running water for set time periods before use; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia City Council has demonstrated that preventing lead exposure is a top priority; and
WHEREAS, Public education and an affirmative abatement regime are important components in further reducing the risk of lead exposure through water; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia, Authorizes hearings to be conducted concerning best practices followed by the Philadelphia Water Department as well as additional measures to prevent lead exposure due to household water service lines.
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