By Julio Rausseo/Illinois Radio Network
GALESBURG – The city of Galesburg is stepping up its efforts to help protect residents from lead in the water supply.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommended the city provide residents with bottled water or water filters and additional testing for lead exposure. The Associated Press analyzed water testing data and found that lead levels in Galesburg exceeded recommended levels multiple times in a 25-year period.
Wayne Carl, Galesburg director of public works, said the city will provide water testing kits and water filters to affected residents.
“Anybody that has a lead service line is eligible for the free water test if they stop out at the water division office,” Carl said. “And for the filters the people that are eligible are the people that had a lead service line and it exceeded the 15-parts-per-billion action level.”
City Manager Todd Thompson told the City Council earlier this week that it will cost about $90,000 to implement the recommendations.
Carl said the costs could vary. “Right now we’re looking at maybe a dozen filters so far,” he said. “Just depends on how many people get their water tested and how many people are above the 15-parts-per-billion.”
Carl said the city is finalizing plans to conduct a corrosion control study with a University of Illinois professor.
