At the urging of federal officials, Galesburg will provide free water testing for residents worried about possible lead in their water. Wednesday the city also announced it will provide filters for any home with high levels of lead in the water.
Director of Public Works, Wayne Carl, says home-owners should first determine if they have a lead service line by going to the city website, and typing in their address in the special "online tool." Or call the city and someone will go to the home.
Lead service lines are most often found in homes built in the 1950's, and earlier. And Carl estimates that could be about 47-hundred homes in Galesburg.
If the answer is "yes," people can pick up a free test kit.
Carl says test results will come back in 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. The limit or "action level" is 15 parts-per-billion, and anyone with a reading higher than that can also get a free filter from the city.
Last year tests from six homes showed high levels, of the 50 that were tested.
