Norwood water passes EPA lead test

For the second time this year Norwood has passed Environmental Protection Agency's tests for lead in the town's drinking water.
Tests in both March and September showed Norwood was in compliance with the EPA's Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The results, however, do not mean Norwood will get out of its requirement to replace at least 7 percent of lead service pipes a year.
General Manager John Carroll said the town will press on with its program to replace all known lead service pipes. But Carroll warned that even when the program is complete, the town could still test positive.
``It's a crazy test,'' said Carroll, citing the fact that towns like Weston, which does not have any lead pipes, have also failed it.
The test is administered by selected residents who are told to take a water sample on a morning when the water hasn't been used in several hours. Carroll said the very nature of the test is questionable, since nobody knows if some residents are letting their water run first - essentially cheating - while others are following directions.
Additionally, Carroll said many experts believe lead in many cases is getting into the water from brass faucet fixtures. He said electrolysis can actually leach lead into the water if the faucet has not been turned on in many hours. Carroll said turning the faucet on for as little as 30 seconds can flush the system of any lead.
``The test is kind of a joke,'' Carroll said. ``But we're going to continue replacing the pipes because the people don't want them and it's something we should do.''
Norwood has already replaced roughly 60 lead services, sharing costs with homeowners.
In spring, 2004, Norwood failed the water test, which found several homes in town had unacceptable levels of lead.
According to the test results, more than 10 percent of samples taken exceeded the federal lead threshold for lead of 15 parts-per-billion. Under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, testing is required regularly and samples are taken from at-risk homes, such as those known to have lead piping.
Due to the failure, the DEP mandated Norwood replace at least 7 percent of known lead service pipes each year.
After the Department of Public Works searched many homes in 2005, officials found roughly 160 lead services in town.
Technically, the town is now five years ahead of schedule.
Carroll said he is now eyeing the remaining 100 pipes.
``We'd like to finish this up as soon as possible,'' said Carroll.
Daily News staff writer Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or at bfalla@cnc.com