Lead In Water
Perhaps one of the most disconcerting aspects of lead in water is that it can be next to impossible to tell if it’s there or not. Generally invisible, odorless, and tasteless, levels of lead concentration in drinking water and tap systems can often pass unnoticed.
How lead enters drinking water systems
The most common way drinking water is exposed to lead is through aging pipes and plumbing infrastructure. A holdover from the days when the dangers of lead were not as well known, many of the country’s pipes and fixtures still contain the chemical or contain portions of plumbing infrastructure that hasn’t been updated properly. Lead can also become an issue when pipes, fitting, or solder have aged to a point where they become corroded, which can contaminate water more quickly.
In general, homes built before 1986 are more likely to have plumbing components containing lead, though that doesn’t exclude newer construction since federal regulations governing acceptable lead levels have fluctuated over the years.
What to do if you suspect you have lead contaminated water
Since there are no signs to look, smell, or taste for, the best and only way to rule out lead in your water is to have it tested. Contact your local Culligan of Stockton Water Expert to set a time for him or her to visit your home and take a sample.
What Does Water Testing Screen for
- Hardness
- Total dissolved solids
- pH
- Nitrates
- Chlorine
To test for lead, your Culligan Water Expert will send a sample to our EPA-certified water testing lab in Illinois, where they can effectively run a lead water test to evaluate any levels of lead. As soon as the test is complete, usually within three business days, your Culligan Water Expert will call you to discuss the results.
What should I do about lead in water?
If your lab water test comes back with any levels of lead, switch to drinking bottled water and use it for preparing food and beverages as well. It’s not harmful to shower or wash with lead-contaminated water, but you will want to make sure you don’t consume any more of it. Your Culligan Water Expert will be ready to recommend the best filtration solution to remove the lead in your water, whether it’s an under sink, point-of-use filtration system, or a whole home water filter.
If you’re concerned about your water quality, schedule a free water test from your Culligan of Stockton expert today.
