SEATTLE — Seattle Public Utilities officials said the city's water is now safe to drink after extensive testing for lead contamination at five homes over the weekend.
But the agency said there's a small number of residents who still may want to run their water before use.
%
%
In all the SPU tested five homes, all built before the 1930s, in various parts of the city.
"What they tell us so far is that we are not seeing high levels of lead coming from these five locations," said Wylie Harper, SPU's drinking quality manager. "What we don't have verified yet in these five homes is whether they are connected with lead goosenecks".
The gooseneck pipes, according to Tacoma water officials, are likely the source of lead that leaked into water lines flowing into four homes in that city.
SPU officials said about 8,000 homes in Seattle have galvanized pipes, which "may" have gooseneck fittings.
%
%
So they still want those residents to flush their water for about two or three minutes before use, just in case.
“Ninety-five percent of people who look up their service will find out they don’t have galvanized pipes,” said Harper.
SPU also said it tests about 50 homes around the city once every three years for potential lead and copper contamination. But so far it has found no dangerous levels of either chemical.
City Council member Mike O’Brien wants SPU to stay on top of this issue.
“Anything that raises any flag, we want to make sure we want to raise that immediately with the public,” said O’Brien.
SPU has an online map on its website for people to check if their homes have galvanized pipes, but residents have complained it hasn't been working properly.
Officials have released a phone number, (206) 684-5800, for homeowners to call and check with customer service.
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/KIRO7Seattle" target="_blank"><strong>[Follow KIRO 7 News on Facebook]</strong></a>