University of Iowa study finds lead in water from standalone kiosks
By Abigail Kurten
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DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — A new study from the University of Iowa shows water from standalone water kiosks could contain higher-than-recommended levels of lead.
Researchers tested 20 kiosks, including all 14 in Iowa. While the kiosks were sufficient in removing forever chemicals, also known as PFAs, 15 had lead detected in their supply.
“We found some instances of lead that exceed recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, we found some instances of lead that exceed levels from the EPA,” researcher Samantha Zuhlke told KCCI.
Specifically, kiosks that use reverse osmosis are more likely to test positive for lead due to the plumbing system used.
While the plumbing inside the kiosk is considered “lead-free,” it still has a small amount of lead in it as allowed under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
However, when water that’s been purified by reverse osmosis interacts with that plumbing, it can become more corrosive.
As lead accumulates in the body, it can cause brain, kidney, and nervous system damage, especially in pregnant women or children.
But because these kiosks are privately owned, they aren’t held to the same standards as municipal water.
“In general, water kiosks, particularly in the state of Iowa, just fall into this regulatory gray space where they’re not really required to be tested and no one’s really testing them,” Zuhlke said.
KCCI spoke with several individuals purchasing water while at the kiosk in Des Moines off of SE 14th Street.
While no one wanted to go on camera, several said they purchased kiosk water because they had concerns about municipal water.
However, tap water must be lead-free when it leaves a municipal facility.
Additionally, the source water for these kiosks is municipal tap water, which is why researchers say legislative change that would require more frequent monitoring and testing of these sites is a good solution.
“I think it’s important for people to have all that information so that they can evaluate trade-offs they’re making when they decide where they’re going to source their drinking water from,” Zuhlke said.
It’s important to note that the study did not look at water kiosks found inside grocery stores.
KCCI reached out to Highland Pure Water and Ice, the owner of the Des Moines kiosk, for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
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