In July 2024, the Office of Environmental Resource Management (OERM) Lead Reduction Team completed a significant voluntary drinking water sampling event, marking our first since the program’s launch in January 2023. The team was invited by the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana for an initial site visit in February 2024 to identify key sampling points in local schools, childcare centers, and areas where children might be exposed to lead in drinking water. Sampling is voluntary and fully supported by USET to assist and guide Tribal Nations in addressing potential lead exposure risks. Partnering closely with Coushatta’s Environmental Division, we surveyed critical locations including a daycare, gymnasium, park, and recreational after school sites.
After careful planning, our team returned in late July to execute the sampling plan. Working in coordination with the Coushatta Environmental Division, we successfully collected water samples from all surveyed facilities and shipped them to an EPA-certified laboratory within two days.
This voluntary sampling event was part of USET’s broader mission to reduce the risk of lead exposure in Tribal and rural communities. Lead poisoning from drinking water remains a critical health concern, particularly in areas where access to health services is limited. Children are especially vulnerable to lead exposure, which can cause short-term effects like developmental delays, learning difficulties, and irritability. Long-term exposure may lead to serious health issues such as damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth, and behavioral problems. Even low levels of exposure can have lasting effects on a child’s development.
The action level for lead in drinking water is 15 parts per billion (ppb) according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. Any amount of lead in drinking water can be a potential health risk, especially with prolonged exposure. Even at levels below the EPA’s action level, lead can accumulate in the body over time, posing health risks to vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women. That’s why regular monitoring is crucial, even when levels are below the regulatory threshold.
If lead is detected in drinking water, the EPA recommends taking several steps to reduce exposure:
- Flush water systems: Run water for several minutes before using it for drinking or cooking, particularly if it hasn’t been used for several hours.
- Use certified filters: Install water filters that are certified to remove lead for drinking and cooking.
- Test water regularly: Regular testing is important, especially in older buildings or communities with aging infrastructure.
- Consider replacing lead-containing plumbing: If the water system contains lead pipes, fixtures, or solder, replacing these components can reduce lead levels.
Rural communities often face higher rates of lead exposure due to aging infrastructure and limited resources for regular testing. In fact, a study conducted by the National Rural Health Association found that children in rural settings are twice as likely to experience lead exposure compared to those in urban areas, largely due to outdated plumbing and fewer health resources available for monitoring and remediation. Prevention starts with regular testing, replacing lead pipes, and providing education to families and facilities about the risks.
Lead exposure is particularly concerning in rural communities, where children are twice as likely to experience elevated blood lead levels compared to urban areas due to aging infrastructure and less frequent monitoring. A study conducted in rural Georgia found that children in these areas had lead levels significantly higher than state and national averages, underscoring the need for proactive prevention and testing in underserved regions. Prevention starts with regular testing, replacing lead pipes, and providing education to families and facilities about the risks.
We’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to Bethany Crochet and the Coushatta Environmental Division for their cooperation and assistance, which made this event a success. USET’s Lead Reduction Team remains deeply committed to working alongside communities, offering support and resources to prevent lead exposures. If you have concerns or questions about lead in drinking water at any public or childcare facility, please contact the Lead Reduction Project Manager, Jakira Saunders, at jsaunders@usetinc.org, or the Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, Ben Peyton, at bpeyton@usetinc.org.
Rustin, R. Christopher; Sun, Yu; Calhoun, Chris; and Kuriatnyk, Christy (2017) “A Preliminary Examination of Elevated Blood lead Levels in a Rural Georgia County,” Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association: Vol. 7: No. 1, Article 31.
DOI: 10.21633/jgpha.7.132
Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/jgpha/vol7/iss1/31