Lead Water Service Lines

Lead Water Service Lines: A Guide to Safe Use

Lead is a common, naturally occurring metal that is found throughout the environment in lead-based paint as well as in air, soil, household dust, and, sometimes, water. It can pose a significant risk to your health if too much of it enters your body. Lead builds up in the body over many years and can cause damage to the brain, red blood cells and kidneys.

The greatest risk is to young children and pregnant women. Amounts of lead that won’t hurt adults can slow down normal mental and physical development of growing bodies. Most health officials agree the greatest danger from lead exposure comes from old lead-based paint, but drinking water can also be a source.

Lead Service Lines

If you have lead service lines, there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead. Here are some tips for safely using lead water service lines:

Run the water for a few minutes before using it. This will help to flush out any lead that may have accumulated in the pipes.
Avoid using hot water for cooking or drinking. Lead leaches more easily from pipes when the water is hot.
Use a water filter. A water filter can remove lead from your drinking water.
Have your water tested for lead. You can have your water tested by a certified laboratory.

If you are concerned about your exposure to lead, you should talk to your doctor. Lead can cause a variety of health problems, including learning and behavior problems, delayed growth, and damage to the nervous system.

What are Lead Service Lines?

Lead service lines are pipes that connect a home to the main water line. They were used extensively in the United States from the late 1800s to the mid-1970s. Lead is a soft metal that is easy to work with, and it was once considered to be a safe material for water pipes. However, we now know that lead can leach into drinking water, posing a serious health risk.

How Can I Tell If I Have Lead Service Lines?

The only way to know for sure if you have lead service lines is to have your water tested. However, there are some clues that may indicate that you have lead service lines. These include:

Your home was built before 1986.
Your home is located in an older neighborhood.
You have a history of lead poisoning.

If you think you may have lead service lines, you should contact your water utility company. They may be able to test your water for free or for a low cost.

What Are the Health Effects of Lead?

Lead is a toxic metal that can cause a variety of health problems, especially in children. It can damage the brain and nervous system, causing learning and behavior problems, delayed growth, and even death. Lead can also cause damage to the kidneys, reproductive system, and cardiovascular system.

Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead because their bodies are still developing. Even low levels of lead exposure can have a negative impact on a child’s development.

In the United States, 13% of households depend on an unregulated private well for their water. Compared with children in houses served by a regulated water utility, children in these homes have a 25% increased risk of elevated blood lead.

How Can I Reduce My Exposure to Lead?

If you have lead service lines, there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead. These include:

Run the water for a few minutes before using it. This will help to flush out any lead that may have accumulated in the pipes.
Avoid using hot water for cooking or drinking. Lead leaches more easily from pipes when the water is hot.
Use a water filter. A water filter can remove lead from your drinking water.
Have your water tested for lead. You can have your water tested by a certified laboratory.

What Is the Government Doing to Address Lead Service Lines?

The federal government is taking steps to address the problem of lead service lines. The Lead and Copper Rule, which was enacted in 1991, requires water utilities to monitor the levels of lead in drinking water. If lead levels are too high, the utility must take steps to reduce exposure, such as replacing lead service lines.

The federal government is also providing funding to help communities replace lead service lines. The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) provides low-interest loans and grants to help communities finance water infrastructure projects, including lead service line replacement.

What Can I Do to Get Involved?

You can:

Contact your water utility company and ask about their plans to replace lead service lines.
Support efforts to pass legislation that would provide funding for lead service line replacement.
Get involved in local advocacy groups that are working to address the issue of lead service lines.

By working together, we can make our communities safer and healthier for everyone.

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