title: Profiling Private Water Systems to Identify Patterns of Waterborne Lead Exposure.
abstract: Although extensive literature documents corrosion in municipal water systems, only minimal data is available describing corrosion in private water systems (e.g., wells), which serve as a primary source of drinking water for approximately 47 million Americans. This study developed a profiling technique specifically tailored to evaluate lead release in these systems. When applied in an intensive field study of 15 private systems, three patterns of lead release were documented: no elevated lead or lead elevated in the first draw only (Type I), erratic spikes of particulate lead (Type II), and sustained detectable lead concentrations (Type III). While flushing protocols as short as 15-30 s may be sufficient to reduce lead concentrations below 15 μg/L for Types I and III exposure, flushing may not be an appropriate remediation strategy for Type II exposure. In addition, the sustained detectable lead concentrations observed with Type III exposure likely result from corrosion of components within the well and therefore cannot be reduced with increased flushing. As profiling techniques are labor- and sample-intensive, we discuss recommendations for simpler sampling schemes for initial private system surveys aimed at quantifying lead and protecting public health.
authors.affiliation: Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech , 200 Seitz Hall, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.
authors.forename: Kelsey J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Pieper
authors.affiliation: Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech , 200 Seitz Hall, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.
authors.forename: Leigh-Anne
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Krometis
authors.affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech , 418 Durham Hall, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.affiliation: Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech , 200 Seitz Hall, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Benham
authors.affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech , 418 Durham Hall, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D003343:Corrosion; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis; D014768:Virginia; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014881:Water Supply; D060986:Water Wells
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D060766:Drinking Water; D052638:Particulate Matter; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007854:Lead