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In 2016, the Pennsylvania primary will mean something — finally

SCRANTON &#8212; The first test of the public water system servicing Wilkes-Barre showed no lead was present, but Mayor Tony George is promising more regular testing in the future.George said he was spurred to action after U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic, took a prominent role in a House committee demanding answers on the cause of lead contamination of the water in Flint, Michigan.He joined Cartwright, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Quigley and state Sen. John Blake, D-Archbald, for a discussion Tuesday in Scranton focused on preventing a similar occurrence in Northeastern Pennsylvania.&#8220;If it wasn&#8217;t for Congressman Cartwright&#8217;s leadership in the Flint, Michigan, crisis we would never have done that in Wilkes-Barre,&#8221; George said.Earlier this month, the city&#8217;s health department took samples from 10 different locations for the lead testing. Henry Radulski, the city&#8217;s health director, said it was done because Wilkes-Barre&#8217;s provider, Pennsylvania American Water, draws from three different reservoirs.&#8220;So we feel that we will start with twice a year and more as needed,&#8221; Radulski said. That&#8217;s in addition to the weekly tests done for bacteria and separate from the tests done every three years by Pennsylvania America Water, he said.The utility announced a $2.3 million upgrade to its infrastructure in Wilkes-Barre and the replacement of 14,000 feet of water main dating back to the early 1900s.Testing of the systems throughout the state was important, but the bigger issue for Cartwright and his guests was what happens once water gets into the pipes and plumbing for houses, schools, and daycares.&#8220;Even if the public water supply is quite pure of lead, you still may have an issue,&#8221; Cartwright said.The state has many older homes with lead-based paint and lead pipes and fitting, he noted.He encouraged private testing of water in homes. The tests cost between $20 and $45, he said.&#8220;Give yourselves the peace of mind that I know you&#8217;re looking for after what happened in Flint,&#8221; Cartwright said.Quigley called the crisis in Flint &#8220;an anomaly,&#8221; saying the proper corrosion controls were not put in place when the water source was switched.&#8220;DEP is vigilant and diligent when it comes to protecting Pennsylvania&#8217;s public drinking water,&#8221; Quigley said.He pointed out the the department suspended Analytical Services Inc., of Williston, Vermont, from testing for contaminants in public water systems in Pennsylvania. DEP found the company violated the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Act, he said.The company tested water for Pennsylvania American reservoirs in Luzerne County, but DEP said it does not believe the public was at risk.Quigley reiterated Cartwright&#8217;s criticism of recently published reports that contained confusing information about lead levels for children in Pennsylvania cities. They identified the state&#8217;s aging housing stock as a major concern, he said. The 2010 U.S. Census data listed Pennsylvania third in the nation with housing units built before 1950 when lead was prevalent and fourth with housing units built before 1978 when lead paint was banned.According to the state Department of Health, exposure to deteriorating lead paint in the form of chips and dust is the primary cause childhood lead poisoning in the state, Quigley said.Blake agreed, saying that for the most part the water systems are compliant with federal regulations on lead limits.&#8220;The housing stock in Pennsylvania in terms of age and of the legacy issue of lead, that&#8217;s really where I believe the largest threat exists,&#8221; Blake said. &#8220;That&#8217;s where we need to be vigilant.&#8221;Democratic lawmakers in Harrisburg have put together a package of bills to address the issue, Blake said. His fellow lawmaker, Sen. John Yudichak, D-Plymouth Township, &#8220;would like to see a task force to study this issue of lead in Pennsylvania and try to get some reporting back to us,&#8221; Blake said.He applauded Cartwright for his efforts, saying it complements what&#8217;s being done on the state level to &#8220;elevate the profile on this issue&#8221; and ensure people are adequately informed and &#8220;have true data at their disposal and that they understand where to go in order to get help.&#8221;<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By Jerry Lynottjlynott@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott</shirttailMeta></div>

PA’s aging housing stock poses bigger lead threat than public water systems, officials say