Innovations interviewed Marvin Schultes, Manager Hastings Utilities for Hastings' views of the situation. Many communities throughout Nebraska, including Hastings, believe that no health risks are associated with the concentrations of copper present in water samples taken in conjunction with the EPA's Copper Rule. Although Hastings Utilities cannot speak for any other community, we believe that there is absolutely no health threat to our water customers from exposure to copper. Science has established health related problems caused by lead.
Local samples are well below the guidelines established for exposure to lead.
Many state health departments, and communities alike, believe that the rules for copper exposure in drinking water lack any credible scientific evidence. The copper limits, which require mandatory water treatment if exceeded, are the reason that so many communities have taken issue with the copper portion of the Lead and Copper Rule. As stated previously, the science on which the copper portion of the rule is based is weak. The source water for local supplies is pure. To begin treating local drinking water based on the present requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule would be unnecessary and unwise.