|
Lead and copper typically get into drinking water as a result of corrosion of plumbing systems (pipes, faucets, and lead solder) in customer's homes. Corrosion does not typically occur in homes built before 1982 because minerals in the water have coated the inside of the plumbing system. In New Mexico, lead solder may have been used prior to 1987. According to USEPA guidelines, homes built between 1982 and 1987, the "worst case" examples, were likely to contain the highest concentrations of these metals.
As required by USEPA, homes built between 1982 and 1987 were identified throughout the distribution system. Customers residing in these homes were selected at random to volunteer to collect samples inside their homes. All results from these sites were well below the limits allowed by regulations.
| Results of Lead & Copper Sampling at Customer Water Taps (2007) |
| |
90th Percentile
Value Detected |
Number of Samples that Exceed the Action Level |
Maximum Detected |
Action Level* |
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal |
Source |
| Lead |
Zero |
Zero |
12 PPB |
Exceeds Action Level if more than 10% of the homes tested have lead levels greater than 15 parts per billion |
Zero |
Corrosion of household plumbing. |
| Copper |
0.2 PPM |
Zero |
0.2 PPM |
Exceeds Action Level if more than 10% of the homes tested have more than 1.3 parts per million |
1.3 PPM |
Corrosion of household plumbing. |
| |
PPB = Parts Per Billion PPM = Parts Per Million |
| |
* Action Level = the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. |
| |
* Nivel de Acción = la concentración de un contaminante que, de ser excedido, provoca el tratamiento u otras exigencias que un sistema de agua debe seguir. |
|
|
Last Updated ( Sunday, 30 March 2008 )
|
Your Drinking Water 
