A Columbus city official says protective measures are in place to prevent any water contamination from lead, like what occurred in Flint, Michigan.
In Flint, an emergency manager switched the water source to the corrosive Flint River which caused lead from aging pipes to leach into the water supply. No anti-corrosive measures were taken.
Here in Columbus, Matt Steele, the city's water treatment and supply coordinator says the city did a study in 1995 which lead to a better corrosion control program.
"Since that time we've had our corrosion control system in place where we adjust the PH of the water, we change the alkalinity and hardness and then we add a corrosion inhibitor called zinc orthophosphate to also prevent additional corrosion of our system," said Steele.
Steele who spoke on WOSU's All Sides with Ann Fisher, says the Ohio EPA regulates the city water system. Under the rules, the city has to monitor 50 homes every 3 years for contaminants like lead. And every other week it has to monitor tap water for lead, PH levels and alkalinity.
