Rockford Caught Cheating Lead Water Tests

According to this report released by The Guardian, Rockford is among 33 cities across 17 US states that used water testing "cheats" that could conceal a dangerous level of lead.

The two "cheats" Rockford is being accused of using are asking testers to 'pre-flush' water pipes and removing aerators from spouts before running water. Both of these methods can lead to under-reporting the actual amount of lead in a water system.  Asking testers to 'pre-flush' their lines is what prompted criminal charges against three employees from Flint in their water supply disaster.

While this report doesn't mean that there is an unsafe level of lead in the community water here in town, it is unsettling considering that we are just 2 months removed from Galesburg reporting unsafe levels of lead in their water.

The EPA isn't everyone's favorite government agency but when you're dealing with something this serious that affects literally everyone in town, you don't necessarily want to see this kind of corner cutting.