To: bovik@k
Subject: testing water for lead
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 89 11:57:35 EST
Message-ID: <3848.601750655@G.GP.CS.CMU.EDU>
From: Thomas.Mathies@G.GP.CS.CMU.EDU

[I posted this in Nov '88.  I received no followup info.]

If you live in he City of Pittsburgh, the Department of Water
will test your water for lead.  There is no charge for the test.
Call 255-2443 to make arrangements.  Other laboratories are
listed at the end of this post.  First, how the process went
for me.

On August 16 I called and asked to have my water tested.
On September 13, someone from the water department left a message
on my machine that they were ready to drop off sample bottles.
I called back the next day, and they dropped off four plastic
bottles on September 15.  We filled them and they were picked
up the next day.  Today (11/9), they called back with the results.
The samples ranged from 6 to 10 parts per billion with the EPA
recommending under 10 ppb.  Conclusion: only consume cold water
after flushing the water standing in the pipe.

Not a speedy testing process, to be sure.


Other testing labs in Allegheny County:

Senate Analytical Services, Inc.	826-3700
Harmarville				$30

Duncan, Lagnese & Associates, Inc.	935-3440
Wexford					$22

Lancy Environmental Services		772-0044
Warrendale				$75

Mac Lab					885-2900
Pittsburgh				$25

For a current list, call the Allegheny County Health Dept.
Public Drinking Water Program.