After issuing an administrative
order on July 2, 2021 to the Clarksburg Water Board, Dr. Ayne Amjad,
State Health Officer and Commissioner of the West Virginia Department of Health
and Human Resources’ (DHHR) Bureau for Public Health, today issued a notice of
violation for failure of compliance. The Clarksburg Water Board has failed
to notify the public about the risk of lead exposure through the prescribed
timeline in the administrative order.
Through W.Va. Code §16-1-9a, the
Bureau for Public Health is the agency with the duty and authority to regulate
public water systems pursuant to, and the rules promulgated under, W.Va. Code
R. §64-3-1 et seq. Due to non-compliance, a fine of $5,000 a day for each day will be
imposed util the water board is in full compliance (W.Va. Code
§16-2-9a(e)(1) and W.Va. Code R. §64-3.17.2.).
“Since this situation developed, the
Bureau for Public Health has had constant communication with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and both agencies have agreed on the
appropriate course of action,” said Dr. Amjad. “Together with EPA, we will ensure
the Clarksburg Water Board complies with the administrative order and support
the water system’s efforts to identify and test older homes with lead service
lines that may cause elevated lead levels in drinking water. We remain very concerned
about the public health situation in Clarksburg and stand ready to protect the
health and well-being of the customers of the water system, as well as ensure
compliance.”
The issue of lead service lines was
first identified by staff in the Bureau for Public Health’s Childhood Lead
Poisoning Prevention Program during environmental lead assessments conducted at
the homes of children diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels. Confirmatory water
sampling in several homes serviced by the Clarksburg Water Board were above the
EPA’s action level. The
Clarksburg Water Board is under orders to implement a corrective action plan
that will include additional sampling, increased frequency of monitoring,
installation of a corrosion control system and an alternate source of drinking
water and/or point of use filters for homeowners where elevated lead levels are
known from existing sample results and where known or suspected lead service
lines exist.
Parents of children younger than six
years of age who are living in older homes serviced by the Clarksburg Water Board
should discuss the risks of lead exposure with their child's pediatrician to
determine if precautionary blood lead testing is needed. Additional steps all
consumers can take include flushing water lines used for drinking and cooking
and using bottled water for making baby formula. Boiling water does not remove
lead from water and should not be practiced for lead abatement.
Questions regarding the Clarksburg
Water Board and the risk for lead exposure in the water should be directed to
Bob Davis, Chief Water Operator, at 304-624-5467, extension 121.