2019-116 Copper and Lead SamplingDate: May 31, 2019 Report No. 2019-116
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Provide information about the upcoming 2019 lead copper drinking water sampling.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City is required to collect 50 drinking water samples from inside homes once every three
years, only during the June to September timeframe, and analyze these samples for lead and
copper. The sampling collection is scheduled to occur June 3 through June 21.
BACKGROUND:
The samples for lead copper testing are collected from a list of participants that have been approved
by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The analyses of the samples are
not conducted by the City of Denton laboratory, but are required to be conducted by a certified
third party laboratory. This laboratory sends the sample results to TCEQ at the same time they
send the results to the City of Denton. The City provides copy of the results to the participants.
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women
and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated
with homes, plumbing pipes, and fixtures.
The City of Denton has been collecting water samples for routine lead and copper monitoring since
1993. It is important to realize that water in the City of Denton is treated to reduce pipe corrosion
and prevent lead and copper from leaving the pipes and getting into drinking water.
STAFF CONTACT:
Deborah Viera
Assistant Director of Environmental Services
940.349.7162
Deborah.Viera@cityofdenton.com