R.I. health dept., Water Supply Board sign lead initiative

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Health and the Providence Water Supply Board last week announced a joint initiative aimed at helping prevent childhood lead poisoning and improving drinking-water quality for customers served by the board.
According to the terms of a consent order signed by department Director Michael Fine and board General Manager Boyce Spinelli, DOH will grant a stay on its requirement that the board replace 7 percent of its lead-service connection lines during the 2012 season to allow further analysis of data on the effectiveness of the partial lead-service replacement program in lowering lead levels in water delivered at the tap. A news release said that an expert advisory panel will evaluate corrosion-control treatment in its water system, as well as any treatment adjustments needed to achieve recommended lead-action levels.
The board also agreed to contribute $500,000 to the department’s lead-poisoning-prevention program. &#8226