CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — The Clarksburg Water Board on Wednesday received a notice of violation for failure of compliance after the body failed to notify the public about lead exposure in a timely manner.
The board will face a fine of $5,000 a day until it is in full compliance with state code.
State Health Officer Dr. Ayne Amjad said the state Bureau of Public Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have discussed an appropriate course of action to address the issue.
“Together with EPA, we will ensure the Clarksburg Water Board complies with the administrative order and support the water system’s efforts to identify and test older homes with lead service lines that may cause elevated lead levels in drinking water,” she said. “We remain very concerned about the public health situation in Clarksburg and stand ready to protect the health and well-being of the customers of the water system, as well as ensure compliance.”
State employees first recognized the problem during environmental lead assessments conducted at the homes of children diagnosed with elevated levels of lead in their blood. Water sampling by the Clarksburg Water Board showed lead content about the EPA’s action level.
The board will have to implement a corrective action plan that includes additional sampling, increasing frequency of monitoring, installation of a corrosion control system, and an alternate water source and filter use for homes with elevated lead levels.