Lead in our Drinking Water

Is there lead in your water?

When you take a drink of water, the last thing you want to do is think, “What’s in this?”

In order to have a good grasp on what’s in your water, and whether you have lead content in your water, we need to understand how it gets there.

The cause for lead in water is generally not the city where you live or the treatment process that it goes through. If lead is in your water, it’s there from the paths it travels to get to your tap. The primary source for lead in most drinking water is the piping used in household plumbing or old systems just outside of the home.

If you have an older home, you should have your water tested for lead.

Now the big question: “How harmful is lead for me and my family?”

Lead is a metal that accumulates over time in places like our brain, bones, kidneys and other major organs. It can cause diverse and significant health issues, especially in children. High levels of lead contamination in a child can result in major neurological damage, organ failure, coma, convulsions, and ultimately, death. Even moderate to low levels of exposure can inhibit growth and result in hearing loss and learning disabilities. 

How do I know if there’s lead in my water?

Homeowners will often tolerate hard water or water with a metallic taste or a chlorine smell. They often aren’t driven by a significant sense of urgency. But unlike many of the contaminants in water with varying levels of toxicity and risk, lead is not one that should be ignored. Lead is undetectable to sight, taste, or smell.And given what is known about lead and its potential to cause significant damage, lead in water should be addressed immediately. 

If lead is detected in your water, it needs to be taken care of. The best way to know and have it resolved is to have your water tested.