The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) has reduced the maximum allowable lead content — that is, content that is considered “lead-free” — to be a weighted average of 0.25 percent calculated across the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures and 0.2 percent for solder and flux.

What is considered a high lead level in water?

EPA has established 400 ppm for lead in bare soils in play areas and 1,200 ppm for non-play areas for federally funded projects. EPA’s action level for lead in water delivered to users of public drinking water systems is 15 µg/L.

How much lead in water is safe in ppb?

The EPA has an action level of 15 parts of lead per billion parts of water (ppb) for public water systems. A public water system has to take actions to reduce the amount of lead in the water if more than 10 percent of the water samples have lead levels over 15 ppb.

What happens when water contains lead?

Lead can enter drinking water when a chemical reaction occurs in plumbing materials that contain lead. This is known as corrosion – dissolving or wearing away of metal from the pipes and fixtures. This reaction is more severe when water has high acidity or low mineral content.

What is a safe level of lead?

There is no safe blood level of lead. However, a level of 5 mcg/dL is used to indicate a possibly unsafe level for children. Children whose blood tests at those levels should be tested periodically. A child whose levels become too high — generally 45 mcg/dL or higher — should be treated.

What amount of lead is safe?

There is no known safe blood lead concentration; even blood lead concentrations as low as 5 µg/dL may be associated with decreased intelligence in children, behavioural difficulties and learning problems.

What is copper and lead?

Lead and copper are naturally occurring metals that have often been used in indoor plumbing. Pipes and plumbing may contain lead, copper, or their alloys, such as brass; some solder used at copper pipe joints may also contain lead.

How do you determine the lead content of water?

Many public suppliers put yearly reports online, so you can also find it yourself by typing your ZIP code into the EPA’s web site at You’ll want to see lead levels below the EPA’s action level of 15 parts per billion. If you discover a lead reading at or above that level on the report, take action.

How is lead removed from water?

The CDC suggests two ways to remove lead from drinking water: Reverse Osmosis or Distillation. Reverse osmosis is a simple and economical way to protect your household drinking water by filtering out contaminants like lead. Reverse Osmosis can remove 99.1% of lead in water.

Does my water have lead in it?

How do I know if my tap water is contaminated with lead? The only way to know whether your tap water contains lead is to have it tested. You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in water. Therefore, you must ask your water provider whether your water has lead in it.

What are the sources of lead in drinking water?

The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead services lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Lead pipes are more likely to be found in older cities and homes built before 1986.

What should I do if there is lead in my water?

Find out if lead is in your drinking water. Reduce your exposure to reduce lead in drinking water at home. Get your child tested to determine lead levels in his or her blood. Find out if lead in drinking water is an issue in your child’s school or child care facility.

What is the maximum contaminant level for lead in water?

EPA has set the maximum contaminant level goal for lead in drinking water at zero because lead is a toxic metal that can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels. Lead is persistent, and it can bioaccumulate in the body over time.

How much does it cost to test for lead in water?

Since you cannot see, taste, or smell lead dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of telling whether there are harmful quantities of lead in your drinking water. A list of certified laboratories are available from your state or local drinking water authority. Testing costs between $20 and $100.