Making sure your family has safe drinking water is always a top concern. Lead in drinking water can lead to serious health problems, so if you are concerned about lead levels in your drinking water, you should have it tested. Here are some things to know about lead before you test drinking water:
- Lead can get into your water supply in a number of ways. Corrosion of your pipes and fittings is just one source of lead contamination. Your water can also become contaminated after staying in your pipes for extended periods of time before being consumed. The source of your water can also be a concern, as some water bodies and tables have a higher presence of lead than others.
- You will not be able to taste the lead in your water, so testing is the only way to know how much of it is present in your water. Unlike removing disease-causing pathogens, boiling water may not remove lead from your drinking water. Once you have your water tested, you can decide on the next steps to ensuring the safety of your drinking water supply.
- There are some ways to minimize your family’s exposure to lead in drinking water. Always run the tap before using the water for cooking, drinking, bathing or brushing your teeth. You should feel the temperature change before you begin using the water. Always use cold water for cooking, never hot water.
If you believe that your water may contain high levels of lead, you should test the drinking water in your home. This will help you make decisions about where you obtain drinking water for your family, keeping everyone safe and healthy.