Tests of five drinking water samples from a House of Representatives office building recently found elevated levels of lead, according to a June 29 Politico report. The report said the test results have alarmed some congressional staff and led one member of Congress to compare the incident to the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
Politico reported that a recent round of water testing carried out by the office of the Architect of the Capitol, which operates and maintains the Capitol complex, found that five of 26 drinking water samples from the Cannon House Office Building exceeded EPA’s lead action level of 15 parts per billion. The previous round of testing conducted last September had not detected elevated lead levels in any sample, but following the most recent results the Architect’s office alerted congressional staff to the issue and shut off water fountains in the Cannon building. Cannon is one of three office buildings adjacent to the U.S. Capitol that house the offices of U.S. representatives and their staffs.
Politico detailed how some congressional staffers have become alarmed by the elevated lead levels and have requested information about whether individuals who work in the Cannon building should receive tests for lead poisoning. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.), who represents Flint, Michigan, and has been at the forefront of Congress’ debate on that city’s water crisis, issued a statement calling “high levels of lead in water anywhere … a public health emergency.” Rep. Kildee also called on Congress to “get serious” about making assistance to Flint “as much of a priority as ensuring safe water on Capitol Hill.”
Congress has not enacted any lead-related legislation since the Flint water crisis made headlines earlier this year, though in February the House approved a bill to expedite public notifications when a water utility experiences a lead action level exceedance. A Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) bill awaiting action in the Senate includes similar public notification enhancements while also offering millions of dollars to help Flint and communities nationwide improve their water infrastructure.