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Recursion

(56,582 posts)
Sat Jun 25, 2016, 10:52 PM Jun 2016

Experts: DC Water Crisis worse than Flint

http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/dc/experts-dc-water-crisis-worse-than-flint/252587545

Probably not worse per capita, but in terms of actual number of kids harmed...

More children were harmed in D.C. by lead in their water than Flint.

Forty-two thousand children had lead poisoning back in the early 2000's and we are still dealing with high levels of lead.

Elevated levels were just found in four libraries: MLK, Southwest, Georgetown and Lamond-Riggs Library.

“Lead in D.C. water is pervasive,” said Paul Schwartz, Director of DC Water Alliance. The news is enough to make any parent concerned. And even a Brita filter won’t remove the lead that experts say is leaking into ALL of our tap water. “Everywhere there’s a lead pipe coming from a big pipe in the street to your home or whether you have pipes and plumbing in your home that means you have a lead problem,” Schwartz explained.
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Experts: DC Water Crisis worse than Flint (Original Post) Recursion Jun 2016 OP
Bad news, Recursion. elleng Jun 2016 #1
I remember something about Walter Reed being the problem? Recursion Jun 2016 #2
I don't remember that but elleng Jun 2016 #3
Drinking water in Washington, D.C. . . . MousePlayingDaffodil Jun 2016 #4
Concern I recall was re: corroded pipes, elleng Jun 2016 #5
It's taken from the Potomac and stored in a reservoir near Walter Reed (nt) Recursion Jun 2016 #6

elleng

(130,147 posts)
1. Bad news, Recursion.
Sat Jun 25, 2016, 11:41 PM
Jun 2016

I recall a similar issue when we lived there. Local pipes may have been refitted.

Recursion

(56,582 posts)
2. I remember something about Walter Reed being the problem?
Sat Jun 25, 2016, 11:42 PM
Jun 2016

They dumped an absurd amount of ammo from WWII there and it leeched into the groundwater, or something?

elleng

(130,147 posts)
3. I don't remember that but
Sat Jun 25, 2016, 11:50 PM
Jun 2016

we lived very near Walter Reed, so might have been problem when we were there, 1980s.

4. Drinking water in Washington, D.C. . . .
Sun Jun 26, 2016, 12:19 AM
Jun 2016

. . . is taken from the Potomac River. I don't think that disposed ammunition at Walter Reed, even in large amounts -- and assuming that even happened -- is going to have any effect. Lead in drinking water is typically the result of corroded lead pipes.

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