UPDATE (9:33 am): Lynn Hall water conforms to state lead requirements

By Staff Reports

Publication Date: 11/18/2009

Water from all 19 drinking fountains at Purdue University's Lynn Hall meet state standards for lead, according to results of tests performed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

The new samples were taken Oct. 22. Previously, water from facets in the building had tested above the state threshold. Bottled water had been supplied to individuals in Lynn Hall while the university waited for latest test results. "The water in Lynn is safe to drink," said Robert McMains, vice president for physical facilities. "The university's utilities staff works hard to keep the phosphate and PH levels at appropriate levels." Lead in plumbing is a problem nationwide. Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of corrosion of materials containing lead in the system, such as lead-based solder used to join copper pipe, brass and chrome-plated faucets, and, in some cases, pipes made of lead that connect houses and buildings to water mains. A balance of phosphate and PH can help prevent such leaching. Because of this, IDEM recommends that when a faucet in any building has not been used for several hours, the best practice is to run water 15-30 seconds, or until the water is cold, before drinking it or using it in cooking. Water samples from 60 campus buildings, including Lynn Hall, will be tested between now and June 30.