In a press release sent just before 6 p.m. Friday, the City of Three Rivers announced it found five additional homes with lead levels that exceed the federal limit for lead contamination during its second round of testing between July and December 2023.
The announcement comes six months after the city reported it had found six homes with results over 15 parts per billion (ppb), the aforementioned federal limit, during its first round of testing residents’ tap water for lead and copper. The initial round of testing included 47 homes, while the second resulted in the collection of a first and fifth liter sample from 45 sampling locations.
According to the release from City Manager Joe Bippus and Public Services Director Amy Roth, The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) evaluates compliance with an action level based on the 90th percentile of lead and copper results collected in each round of sampling.
The lead 90th percentile for the city’s water supply is 16 ppb, three ppb lower than the 19 ppb city staff reported in August 2023.
As Watershed Voice previously reported, the “action level” is a measure of corrosion control effectiveness; it is not a health-based standard. The goal for lead in drinking water is 0 ppb, and there is no safe level of lead in the blood. Lead can cause serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells, and is especially dangerous for children, infants and fetuses.
When more than 10% of homes tested have results over 15 ppb, an “action level exceedance” is triggered. This means additional actions must be enacted including educational outreach to customers, ongoing sampling every six months, assessing the corrosivity of the water, and service line replacement.
The city is offering free filters (faucet or pitcher style) provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for anyone who has not yet received one and meets eligibility requirements. For those who already have a filter and need replacement cartridges, they are also available for qualified residents. The city is also expanding its lead copper testing program for up to 150 locations with unknown service line material, and free in-home site visits to confirm the service line material where it enters the home.
Getting your service line inspected
If you are a City of Three Rivers water customer and would like your service line inspected or would like to learn about testing your water for lead, contact the City of Three Rivers Department of Public Services at (269) 273-1845 or visit Michigan.gov/EGLElab for a list of certified labs.
If you are a City of Three Rivers water customer and would like your water tested, contact the City of Three Rivers Department of Public Services at (269) 273-1845 to learn more.
If you are operating a food establishment such as a store, restaurant, bar, or food manufacturing establishment visit this page Michigan.gov/mdardleadinfo for specific information for food firms.
Additional information regarding lead can be found at City of Three Rivers’ website or at EGLE and MDHHS websites: Michigan.gov/EGLELeadPublicAdvisory or Michigan.gov/MILeadSafe.
Filters can be obtained at:
City of Three Rivers
Department of Public Services
1015 S. Lincoln Ave.
Three Rivers, MI
(269) 273-1845
Hours: M-F 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
City of Three Rivers
City Hall
333 W. Michigan Ave.
Three Rivers, MI
(269) 273-1075
Hours: M, W-F 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph
Community Health Agency
1110 Hill St.
Three Rivers, MI
(269) 273-2161
Hours: M-F 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Alek Haak-Frost is executive editor and publisher of Watershed Voice.
