How to Protect Your Water Supply from Lead Contamination

Lead, although a naturally occurring earth element, can be harmful to the health of both humans and animals – especially when it gets taken in through a contaminated water supply.

Lead is found almost anywhere – in the soil you walk on, in the air you breathe, and in the water you drink. It can also be lurking inside your home.

How lead can get into your water supply

Every time lead is released into the air from vehicles or industrial facilities, it travels long distances, settles to the ground, and sticks to soil particles such as sand, clay, and silt. When that happens, the lead in the soil can then be absorbed by the water.

Lead can also get into the water supply when corrosion happens in the lead service pipes. When the water is high in acidity and low in mineral content, it usually causes a chemical reaction that leads to the wearing away of the metal in the plumbing.

The dangers of lead contamination

Lead exposure and contamination is hazardous not only for adults but most especially to pregnant women, infants, and children age six and below. Lead can be detrimental to almost every organ in the body and can result in serious health problems.

Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency

How to avoid lead contamination in water

Although lead exposure can be blamed from various sources, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 20+% of a person’s exposure to lead comes from lead-contaminated drinking water. So, to protect your home’s water supply from lead contamination, you must:

• Get a copy of your water utility’s annual water quality report.

  Always ask for a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) being prepared and delivered yearly by your water utility for information on water contaminants in your location.

• Avoid using lead-glazed wares for drinking and food preps.

  The lead coating of your kitchen wares such as ceramics and pottery can contaminate your food or drinking water. Opt for non-toxic, lead-free, and cadmium-free wares instead.

• Always run water for at least 15 seconds before drinking it.

  When you haven't used your pipes for a long time, it's safer to flush your pipes or faucets for 15 seconds or more before drinking or cooking. Doing this minimizes lead exposure.

• Check and replace lead-containing plumbing fixtures.

  Plumbing fixtures, especially those in houses built before 1986, are most likely to be made from lead. To avoid lead from contaminating your water, switch to lead-free pipes instead.

• Make sure your faucet aerators are clean and free from debris.

  Practice regular cleaning of your faucet aerators to protect your water supply from lead contamination and to avoid bits of lead and metal getting stuck in these faucet aerators.

• Have your water tested for the presence of lead and lead hazards.

  Because lead has no taste and smell, it can't easily be discovered when dissolved in water. You need to avail of professional water testing from certified laboratories from your state.

• Invest in treatment devices or home water filtration systems.

  To ensure the safety of the water you are providing your household, purchase and install water treatment devices. Installing a home water filtration system is also recommended.

Make sure your home and your water supply is free from potential lead hazards. Clean and safe water is key to a healthy home. Contact us and free your home from lead contamination today!