An estimated 2,000 Seattle homes could be connected to lead fittings

There could be as many as 2,000 households in Seattle that are being fed water from galvanized pipes with lead fittings similar to those believed to be contributing to Tacoma’s water problem.

Seattle Public Utilities spokesperson Andy Ryan says an estimated 9,000 Seattle households are fed water through galvanized pipes.

“We test our water all the time for lead and copper and we have never found any. Our water is well above the threshold that’s set for us by our state and federal regulators. And we think our water is safe.”

Still, out of abundance of caution, SPU is warning about 500,000 customers within city limits to run their water for two minutes before using it if it hasn’t been run for six hours or more.

The city believes the potential issue in its service area is limited to galvanized service lines – iron pipes – which were used for homes built before the 1950s.

The precautionary measures being taken by Seattle follows the announcement in Tacoma that high levels of lead was detected in four homes south of Lincoln High School. Tacoma Water says gooseneck pipes made out of lead are the culprit. About 1,700 households in the city could be at risk.

Tacoma’s announcement also spurred action in Everett. Everett Public Works said it will test for lead in water lines. More than 500,000 people rely on Public Works for their water.

In Seattle, it could take at least a week before testing is complete.

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