In response to the increased attention that lead in drinking water has received over the past few weeks in Flint, Michigan, Penn State Extension will provide an educational water webinar entitled, “Lead in Drinking Water from Private Wells, Springs and Cisterns – What You Should Know” on February 10 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. and repeated from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m..

The webinar will focus on the potential for lead in drinking water from private water wells, springs and cisterns, although some basic information on lead in public water supplies will also be presented.

There are about one million homes using these “private” water supplies in Pennsylvania and Penn State research has shown that lead can be a significant water quality problem.

The webinar will share research results from the 1980s through 2015, showing the occurrence of corrosive water, copper and lead in private drinking water supplies and the common causes for these problems.

Water testing to determine lead levels, along with water treatment to prevent or remove lead, will also be discussed.

The presentation will conclude with links to various educational materials created by Penn State Extension to increase awareness of lead in drinking water.

These live water webinars are free and can be accessed at either 12:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.  by Clicking Here.  Simply enter your name in the Guest Box and click “Enter Room” to join the live webinar.

You will need a computer with speakers to listen to the audio portion of the webinar. If you are unable to join one of the live webinar sessions, you will be able to view a recorded version of this webinar online.

Penn State Extension also has a written fact sheet on Lead in Drinking Water online.

At each session of the webinar, FREE water test kits for lead will be given to three attendees (a total of six attendees at the two webinar sessions). These drinking water kits will be from the Agricultural Analytical Services Lab at Penn State University – a state accredited water testing laboratory.

The Penn State Extension Water Resources team and its Master Well Owner volunteers provide education and assistance for thousands of private water well and spring owners across Pennsylvania each year.

Tune in on February 10 to learn more about how to protect your family from lead in drinking water.

For more information, visit Penn State Extension’s Lead in Drinking Water Webinar webpage.  Click Here to sign up for updates on Penn State Extension water-related programs.

(Written By: Bryan Swistock, Water Resources Specialist, Renewable Natural Resources, Penn State Extension, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.)

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