Aqua America Shares Important Advice for Minimizing Lead Exposure

The water and wastewater utility is marking Lead Poisoning Prevention
Week by encouraging homeowners to take steps to reduce lead exposure in
their homes

BRYN MAWR, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#LPPW2016–Lead contamination has become a critical topic in the water industry in
recent years as communities across the country work to remove lead
sources from their drinking water supplies. Aqua America is educating
the public about the importance of detecting lead in drinking water
during Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which is being marked this year
from October 23 – 29.

Aqua wants customers to be informed about the health risks of lead
exposure and understand how they can work with Aqua to ensure their
drinking water is safe. There are two potential sources of lead
contamination in drinking water: lead service lines that deliver water
directly into homes from the water mains in the street, and household
plumbing containing lead solder and brass fixtures. Contrary to popular
belief, lead is not typically found in streams, reservoirs or wells that
supply water to homes.

“As a leading water utility, our number one priority is delivering safe,
reliable drinking water to our customers,” said Christopher Crockett,
Ph.D., chief environmental officer of Aqua America. “Lead Poisoning
Prevention Week provides a great opportunity to increase awareness about
the dangers of lead exposure and make sure our customers understand the
importance of checking their home for lead sources.”

Aqua conducts required testing for drinking water contaminants,
including lead and copper, to ensure compliance with state and federal
drinking water standards. The company also treats corrosive water with a
corrosion inhibitor to decrease the rate of lead that leaches into water
from pipes and fixtures.

In addition, Aqua tests for lead in high-risk sample homes to comply
with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) lead and copper
rule. As standard practice, Aqua replaces their portion of any lead
service lines if found during maintenance and construction activities.
If Aqua finds lead in the portion of the service line owned by the
customer, they strongly encourage the customer to replace it.

If a customer’s water shows elevated levels of lead, or if they are
concerned about the potential of lead in their water, Aqua has tips to
minimize exposure:

• Run your tap to flush out lead. If your water hasn’t been used
  for several hours, run water for at least 30 seconds or until it
  becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for
  drinking or cooking.
• Use cold water to cook and prepare baby formula. Don’t boil water
  to reduce lead. Lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling
  water won’t reduce lead.
• If you buy a water filter, make sure it’s approved to reduce lead.
  You can contact NSF International at 800.NSF.8010 or NSF.org
  to learn more about approved water filters.
• Be aware that brass faucets, fittings and valves – even those
  advertised as lead free – might contribute lead to drinking water.
  The law allows end-use fixtures, such as faucets, with wetted surfaces
  containing a maximum weighted average of 0.25 percent lead to be
  labeled as lead free.
• If you are concerned about exposure, contact your local health
  department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get
  tested for lead.

For more information on reducing lead exposure in your home, visit AquaAmerica.com.
Aqua customers can also call Aqua at 877.987.2782 for information about
having their water tested for lead.

Aqua America is one of the largest U.S.-based, publicly traded water
utilities and serves nearly 3 million people in Pennsylvania, Ohio,
North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, Indiana and Virginia. Aqua
America is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol
WTR. Visit AquaAmerica.com
for more information, or follow Aqua on Facebook at facebook.com/MyAquaAmerica
and on Twitter at @MyAquaAmerica.

WTRG

Contacts

Aqua America
Stacey Hajdak
O: 610-520-6309
M: 267-297-1866
SMHajdak@AquaAmerica.com