City of Bullhead City Issues Public Health Notice Regarding Lead Levels in North Mohave Valley Public Water System

The City of Bullhead City is committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of every household in our community. The City’s Utilities Department continues to operate and maintain a high-quality water system that meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water regulations, ensuring safe and dependable service for our residents. As part of routine Lead and Copper Rule sampling in collaboration with the public, two homes in the North Mohave Valley Public Water System tested above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) action level for lead. While lead is not typically present in source water, it can enter tap water through the corrosion of plumbing materials, such as lead pipes, fixtures, goosenecks, or solder, particularly in homes built before 1988.

 

Lead exposure poses health risks for all age groups. For infants and children, it may result in decreased IQ, reduced attention span, and new or worsened learning and behavioral issues. Children of women exposed to lead before or during pregnancy face an increased risk of these adverse effects. In adults, lead exposure can elevate the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney issues, or nervous system problems.

 

The City of Bullhead City is taking immediate action to assess the extent of lead exposure in the North Mohave Valley Public Water System. State agencies have confirmed that the City is not in violation of any state or federal drinking water standards or regulations. Over the next year, the City will conduct enhanced testing of source water and additional sampling of homes in the service area, in full compliance with federal and state regulations. These efforts will determine whether further measures are needed to reduce lead exposure for our customers.

 

“We believe these samples are an anomaly,” said Bullhead City Utilities Mark Clark. “We take thousands of samples of our water from the customer’s side each year, and we’ve never seen results like this. That said, we’re taking the matter seriously. We’re conducting additional testing, and we’re evaluating the system between the source and the homes where the lead was detected.”

After the positive test results, Bullhead City Utilities quickly verified that the service lines leading to the homes that tested positive for lead are made of PVC.

 

“At the time our water systems were built, other materials, including PVC, asbestos cement, and ductile iron, had already replaced lead pipe as the preferred material for water service lines,” said Clark. “It’s highly unlikely that there is any lead pipe in our system.”

 

Residents are encouraged to take simple steps to reduce potential exposure, such as flushing plumbing systems before using tap water for drinking or cooking. Flushing can be accomplished by running faucets, taking a shower, or running a load of dishes or laundry. Customers concerned about lead in their drinking water may choose to use bottled water as a precaution.

 

The City urges all residents to share this information with others who may use water from the North Mohave Valley Public Water System. Comprehensive details, including health information and protective measures, are available on the City’s website at www.bullheadcityaz.gov.

 

The City of Bullhead City remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and quality of our public water system. For questions or concerns, please contact the City’s Water Quality Specialist at (928) 763-9400.