The city’s drinking water supply has been sampled for lead and copper and tested well below levels that woud require action, City Manager Jeff Mansfield said Monday.

State regulations require that the city collect at least 20 samples every three years from homes with lead service lines.

 

The samples taken from taps in Hastings showed lead was 5 ppb and copper was 820 ppb, well below the limit where action is called for.

Tests for lead must be below 15 parts per billion (ppb) and 1,300 ppb for copper to avoid action.

 

The sample at one tap exceeded the action level for lead at 26 ppb; a second test found the level at 1 pbb.  Mansfield said the tap is one that was used very infrequently and the sample should not have been taken at that location.  

 

The way the city treats the water prevents the lead and copper from getting into a solution in the water, then showing up in the testing, he said. “We’d like it to be lower, but it was well within the limits.”

 

BICRH Fire chief Roger Caris issued a reminder on burning in the city.

Residents need a burning permit that can be obtained by calling 269-205-3208.

There is no burning except for small brush without leaves inside the city, and

all open burning must be out by 9 p.m. Someone must in attendance of the fire at all times, he said.

 

A permit in not required to have a campfire in the city, but it must be contained in a small ring designed for the purpose, and they do not need to be out by 9 p.m.

“Again, you can only bum twigs and wood that does not have leaves on it and you cannot bum demolition product,” he said.

 

Also, the council got its first look at the recent recreational use of marijuana initiative passed by Michigan voters. Mansfield said it will be at least 30 days before possession of the drug becomes legal and from one to two years for the state to get the new law clarified.

 

He said he will do some “homework” and bring back options for the council, including opting out. Meanwhile, he will review internal policy issues to assure that the staff and public are safe. The review will include policies regarding vehicles and firearms, among others.

 

The city is unlikely to have many marijuana facilities because they are prohibited within 1,000 feet

of schools, playgrounds and other places, and city’s layout would prevent it nearly everywhere, he said.