Sampling shows elevated lead levels in some homes and/or buildings.

[Village of Burnham] found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes/buildings. [Village of
Burnham] may also have tested your home or building. If they did, you should receive or may have already
received these results. These results are specific to your home/building and may be different from the results
taken in other locations. Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Please read this information closely to see what you can do to reduce lead in your drinking water.
What is an Action Level?

The lead action level is a measure of the effectiveness of the corrosion control treatment in water systems. The action level is not a standard for establishing a safe level of lead in a home. To check if corrosion control is
working, EPA requires water systems to test for lead at the tap in certain homes, including those with lead
service lines. Systems compare sample results from homes to the EPA’s action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb). If 10 percent of the samples from these homes have water concentrations that are greater than the action level, then the system must perform actions such as public education, adjusting treatment, and lead service line
replacement.

What Happened?

Between [July 2025] and [December 2025], we collected [25] samples and analyzed them for lead. The results
of more than 10 percent of our samples exceeded the action level for lead.

[Village of Burnham] is focused on protecting the health of every household in our community; however, lead
from service lines and lead plumbing and fixtures can dissolve or break off into water and end up at the faucet.
We found that [3 homes to have lead, lead service lines, lead in plumbing, etc.] are [potential] sources of lead in your drinking water. This does not mean that every property that receives drinking water from [The village of Burnham] has lead in the drinking water. It does mean that you should understand how to reduce your exposure to lead through water. Keep in mind that drinking water is not the only potential source of lead
exposure, since lead can be found in air, soil, and paint. For more information on all sources of lead, visit
https://www.epa.gov/lead.

Health Effects of Lead

*Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have an increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart
disease, high blood pressure, kidney problems, or nervous system problems.*

​

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Your Water

Below are recommended actions that you may take, separately or in combination, if you are concerned about lead in your drinking water. The list also includes where you may find more information and is not intended to be a complete list or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead from drinking water.

• Use your filter properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be
certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install,
maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can
make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on
facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/ground-
water-and-drinking-water/home-drinking-water-filtration-fact-sheet and EPA’s Consumer Tool for
Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead.

• Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator).
Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the
aerator, lead can get into your water.

• Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.

• Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may
contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or
doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a
lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of
plumbing in your home. Residents may contact us at [Villageofburnham@burnham-il.gov] for recommendations about flushing times in their community.

• Learn what your service line material is. Contact us at [Villageofburnham@burnham-il.gov] or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service
line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials. To find out about what we are doing to replace
lead service lines, please visit [www.Villageofburnham.gov] or contact us at
[Villageofburnham@burnham-il.gov]. Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead is EPA’s on-line step by
step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home.

• Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Contact us at [Villageofburnham@burnham-il.gov]
to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service line.
Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line if present.

• Have your water tested. Contact us at [Villageofburnham@burnham-il.gov] to have your water tested
and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water.

Get Your Child Tested to Determine Lead Levels in His or Her Blood

A family doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood test for lead and provide information about the health
effects of lead. State, city, or county departments of health can also provide information about how you can have your child's blood tested for lead. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that public health actions be initiated when the level of lead in a child’s blood is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL)
or more.

 

For more information and links to CDC’s website, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-
drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water.