Pipes possible cause of Utah woman’s health problems
May 9, 2022, 8:19 AM | Updated: Jun 22, 2022, 2:25 pm
BOUNTIFUL, Utah — A Park City resident is urging others to get the pipes and water coming into their home tested after finding what was coming through her home’s pipes could be a big reason why she’s been feeling so sick.
RETEGO Labs found copper levels in the Park City homeowner’s water to be 6,000% over what’s considered a safe level.
At the time, all Lisa Anderson knew was that she was feeling very sick. That, and her chronic Lyme disease symptoms weren’t showing signs of improvement, despite extensive treatment.
Her doctor believed she may be feeling bad because of metal poisoning from something in her environment.
That’s when RETEGO Labs went in to test the water coming into her home. Testing included turning on faucets and looking for any signs of bad water.
Les Merrill, RETEGO Labs president. (KSL TV)
“When they started testing me for metals in my system for Lyme disease, I thought, ‘I wonder what they’re doing that for?'” said Anderson.
Les Merrill, RETEGO Labs president, said he went to Anderson’s home twice for testing.
“The doctor had been through everything, all of her diet, and said, ‘We need to look at the water,'” said Merrill.
Merrill said he tested the city water coming into her home. The Park City water was safe to use.
RETEGO Labs tested the faucets in her home + the Park City Water.
➡️ found Park City Water – SAFE
➡️ noticed blue stains inside her sinks and toilet
💧 Water test highlighted MAJOR metal toxins… @KSL5TV
— Karah Brackin (@KB_ON_TV) May 9, 2022
When conducting the second round of tests, Merrill noticed there were blue stains inside Anderson’s toilet and sinks.
That water test highlighted major metal toxins, including a copper level 6,000% higher than the recommended safe level.
“I was shocked,” said Merrill.
RETEGO Labs found it’s not the water coming in from the city that’s bad, but rather the way it’s being carried into her home through copper pipes and a citrus-based filter.
“Important thing to look at with water is balance … The only way you know is through testing,” said Merrill.
Other things Merrill said people can do to help ensure what they’re drinking is safe include making sure their pipes are protected.
“The Brita filters and that type that go right on the faucet — that mount right to your faucet — have a carbon filter or something on them. They’re very good at changing the taste and color of your water,” said Merrill.
The copper, now removed from the water coming into her home, Anderson said she is hoping her health improves.
In addition to sharing her story, she’s urging others to check the pipes to their homes and get their water tested.
I asked RETEGO Labs’ President, Les Merrill, what you can do to help protect your water:
His answer:
– Brita filters/type that go right on the faucet have a carbon filter or something on them.
– They're good at changing the
taste and color of your water@KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/z35YiWA50o— Karah Brackin (@KB_ON_TV) May 9, 2022
“When you get sick and you lose your health over things you could have possibly corrected, or that happened, believe me, you wish you would have done that,” said Anderson.
The last time Anderson got her blood tested, her copper levels were high.
In the coming months, now that the copper has been removed from the water coming into her home, she, the water lab, and her doctor are hopeful that she starts feeling better and future blood tests show signs of improvement.
