Many years ago, lead was commonly added to house paint, gasoline, and other products. Most houses also had lead piping, so the water ran through it.

Lead is now recognized as a danger to humans, and so its use is being phased out. However, it is still present in some products, and many older houses still have lead pipes. As a result, a lead poisoning risk still exists, especially from the water we drink.

Why is Lead a Problem?

The problem of lead contamination really came to many people’s attention in 2018 in Flint, Michigan, when 57 of its 86 public schools were found to have elevated levels of lead. It was confirmed at the time that this can cause permanent brain damage in children, leading to violent behavior and learning difficulties. Even before that, between 2015 and 2017, children in Milwaukee showed high levels of lead due to problems with the drinking water.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), young children and unborn fetuses are most at risk, as even low levels of lead can damage blood cells and the nervous system. Lead can also cause impaired growth, poor learning, and other problems. Consequently, the EPA considers lead to be the biggest environmental health threat to children under six in the US.

It is reckoned that babies can acquire 40-60% of their exposure to lead by drinking formula milk that has been mixed with contaminated water. Once in your body, lead stays there and builds up over time, so the effect is cumulative.

Older homes, typically those built before 1986, had lead pipes, and these may even be present in newer properties. Up to 2014, the legal limit for newly installed pipes was 8% lead content, although this is now reduced to 0.25%. Public water companies may also still use some lead pipes to supply water to your home, so you may remain at risk, even in a modern property. More worryingly for residents in rural areas, well water can contain contaminants, including lead, that seep into the groundwater through runoff, with little enforcement to prevent this from happening.

The problem of lead contamination generally occurs when lead pipes, faucets, and fittings, plus the solder that connects them, start to corrode, so that lead is released into the water. Although you can’t absorb lead when taking a bath or shower, it’s best not to drink water contaminated with lead or to use it for cooking.

When to Conduct a Lead in Tap Water Test

Some experts recommend that children have their lead level tested when they are one and two. If you are doing that, it’s advisable to check your water content as well. The EPA recommends that action be taken if lead levels exceed fifteen parts per billion. If you are a municipal water user, you can check the annual Consumer Confidence Report to determine current levels and can contact your supplier if you have concerns. The report may also be available from the EPA’s website — access https://ordspub.epa.gov/ords/safewater/f?p=136:102 and enter the requested details.

For users of well water, information may be more difficult to find. However, https://www.epa.gov/privatewells/protect-your-private-well may be a useful start. Additionally, other well users in your area may be able to share their experiences.

How to Detect Lead in Water

Water testing is either conducted by using a home water lead test kit or by having a water sample tested by a laboratory. The former will be cheaper, and results will be obtained much quicker, but a laboratory test will generally be more comprehensive. It will find other contaminants in addition to lead and produce results that are more accurate. If you do opt for a home test, choose one that specifically tests for lead and other neurotoxic contaminants that can damage the nervous system. Also, make sure it is an EPA-approved lead test kit since others may not be very reliable.

Whatever type of test you conduct, wash your hands thoroughly and ensure you do not contaminate the water sample. When checking for the presence of lead, it is possible and probably desirable to conduct two separate tests:

• Firstly, take a sample of water that has been within the pipes for some time, possibly first thing in the morning, so the water has been there overnight.
• Secondly, run the cold water for about two minutes to clear the pipes and then take a sample.

Test both samples separately, either using the home kit, following the instructions provided for testing and assessing the results, or send the sample to a laboratory and wait until the results come back. If the second sample shows the presence of lead, this means it is coming from your well or from the pipes coming into your property. However, if the second sample is clear but the first one shows lead, then lead pipes within your property are to blame. In the unlikely event that both samples indicate the presence of lead, it will be coming from both sources.

How to Deal with Lead in Your Water

If lead is detected and is caused by lead pipes within your property, then the long-term solution is to replace the pipes. If it comes from outside, then you may need to resolve problems with your well or contact your water supplier.

The more immediate solution is to drink bottled water and then install a water filtration system that will remove lead and other contaminants that are detected. If you’re not sure what to do, contact your local health or environmental department for advice or consult the EPA website. At Aqua Clear Water Systems, we’re also happy to help in any way we can.

Whatever you do, don’t ignore the problem because it will not just go away. Lead is a big threat to your health, especially to young children, so it’s vital you act immediately if you have it in your water.