“Everyone should have access to clean and safe water and be able to turn it on and not think about it.”
But Sammeetra Carr thinks about her water a lot.
She’s a homeowner in Grand Rapids’ Third Ward on the southeast side, where city leaders acknowledge homes may have elevated lead levels from paint, older plumbing fixtures and outdated water lines.
“By the time it gets to my house, who knows what pipes its traveled through?”
As the city works to replace the lines, leaders partnered with non-profit Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan last fall with a grant to distribute hundreds of lead-reducing water kits.
Kay Lykins is the area’s Community Educator and says help includes supplies to remove and clean aerators, educational material, and water pitchers with upgraded filters.
“They reduce 99% of led in water, PFAS – which is another huge issue here in West Michigan- cadmium, mercury, microplastics and some pharmaceuticals.”
Sammeetra Carr thinks the coalition’s optional in-home assessment was a great benefit.
“She showed me how to use the things, she told me why it was important. Especially, well, I don’t have young ones, but if I want to rent my home and they have young kids, what preventative measure can I take to keep them safe?”
Residents can check the Healthy Homes Coalition’s website to see if they qualify for the Third Ward Lead Reduction Initiative.
Organizers hope to expand the project to other areas of the city in the future.
