Author: Geoffrey Sperring
Many homes have water mains connected by lead service lines. Lead in water can cause neurological damage to children and high blood pressure, reproductive harm and cognitive impairment in adults. In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency introduced the Lead and Copper Rule that revised drinking water regulations and specified the maximum allowable levels of lead and copper in water. The LCR also specified requirements for corrosion control treatment and other measures to take if lead levels exceeded specifications.
How Do You Know If Your Water Lines Are Copper or Lead?
Up until 1986, most homes and buildings had lead service lines connecting the building to the water main. Lead was popular because it was flexible, durable and easy to install. The EPA estimates there are still 9.2 million lead service lines connected to properties in the United States.
Inspect Your Water Lines
The only way to see if you have lead pipes is to inspect the service line. To do this, you need to excavate a part of the service line on either side of the curb stop valve. Scrape the pipes clean. If the pipe is soft, gray and easily scratched, it’s lead. If it’s magnetic, it’s galvanized piping, while copper pipes are shiny orange.
Check Faucets and Fittings
Lead was previously used as an additive in brass, and faucets manufactured before 1997 may have up to 8% lead and should be replaced. Faucets complying with lead-free standards will have a National Sanitary Foundation stamp (NSF 61/9). Another source of lead is solder, which was used before 1986 to join copper pipes.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Each?
The most common types of metallic piping are lead, copper and galvanized steel. Alternatives include plastic piping that’s certified to NSF standards for drinking water.
Lead Piping
Lead piping is soft and erodes easily. Small particles of lead leach out when water is standing, leading to exposure to lead when people drink contaminated water. The action level for lead in water is 0.015 milligrams per liter.
Copper Piping
Copper piping is largely inert and safe for drinking water; however, under certain conditions, small amounts of copper can leach into water standing in copper pipes. Copper is harmless at low levels, but at high levels, copper can cause liver and kidney disease. The LCR rules specify that the action level for copper is 1.3 milligrams per liter.
Galvanized Piping
Galvanized piping is a steel pipe that’s coated with a protective zinc coating to prevent corrosion.
What Is the EPA Lead and Copper Rule?
The Lead and Copper Rule, established in 1991, aims to reduce the risk of exposure to lead in drinking water. It specifies:
- Criteria for testing and monitoring public drinking water systems
- Requirements for optimizing corrosion treatment to prevent leaching
- Principles for lead service line replacement over time
It also provided for public education on the risks of lead poisoning. Lead and copper rule revisions in 2007 and 2021 provided for enhanced monitoring and preventive practices and improved the protection of children at childcare facilities and schools.
What Are the Water Services’ Responsibilities?
Community water services and non-transient non-community water services must take steps to protect public health by minimizing the concentration of lead and copper in drinking water. This should be primarily through water treatment to reduce the corrosion of lead and copper pipes. If public water systems continue to exceed the lead limit, they must take steps to reduce their lead service line inventories by 3% per year (previously 7%). An amendment under consideration would raise the annual replacement percentage to 10%.
How Can You Reduce Lead and Copper in Your Drinking Water?
You can reduce lead and copper in drinking water to safe levels through these two simple actions.
Regular Flushing of Water Lines
If you haven’t used water for a few hours, run the water for at least 30 seconds before using it for drinking or cooking. Never use hot water for cooking or making baby formula.
Use Lead Water Filters
Purchase certified lead water filters for all drinking and cooking water. Be careful to replace the filter cartridge according to the manufacturer’s schedule.
Who Is Responsible for Replacing Lead Service Lines?
Water services and homeowners share the responsibility of replacing lead service lines.
- Water services are responsible for replacing the LSL from the supply main to the curb stop valve.
- Homeowners must pay to replace their part of the lead line from the curb to the home.
Some jurisdictions have chosen to pay for the complete line. Owners can elect not to upgrade their part of the LSL, but they’ll continue to be exposed to lead.
Author: Geoffrey Sperring
Many homes have water mains connected by lead service lines. Lead in water can cause neurological damage to children and high blood pressure, reproductive harm and cognitive impairment in adults. In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency introduced the Lead and Copper Rule that revised drinking water regulations and specified the maximum allowable levels of lead and copper in water. The LCR also specified requirements for corrosion control treatment and other measures to take if lead levels exceeded specifications.
How Do You Know If Your Water Lines Are Copper or Lead?
Up until 1986, most homes and buildings had lead service lines connecting the building to the water main. Lead was popular because it was flexible, durable and easy to install. The EPA estimates there are still 9.2 million lead service lines connected to properties in the United States.
Inspect Your Water Lines
The only way to see if you have lead pipes is to inspect the service line. To do this, you need to excavate a part of the service line on either side of the curb stop valve. Scrape the pipes clean. If the pipe is soft, gray and easily scratched, it’s lead. If it’s magnetic, it’s galvanized piping, while copper pipes are shiny orange.
Check Faucets and Fittings
Lead was previously used as an additive in brass, and faucets manufactured before 1997 may have up to 8% lead and should be replaced. Faucets complying with lead-free standards will have a National Sanitary Foundation stamp (NSF 61/9). Another source of lead is solder, which was used before 1986 to join copper pipes.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Each?
The most common types of metallic piping are lead, copper and galvanized steel. Alternatives include plastic piping that’s certified to NSF standards for drinking water.
Lead Piping
Lead piping is soft and erodes easily. Small particles of lead leach out when water is standing, leading to exposure to lead when people drink contaminated water. The action level for lead in water is 0.015 milligrams per liter.
Copper Piping
Copper piping is largely inert and safe for drinking water; however, under certain conditions, small amounts of copper can leach into water standing in copper pipes. Copper is harmless at low levels, but at high levels, copper can cause liver and kidney disease. The LCR rules specify that the action level for copper is 1.3 milligrams per liter.
Galvanized Piping
Galvanized piping is a steel pipe that’s coated with a protective zinc coating to prevent corrosion.
What Is the EPA Lead and Copper Rule?
The Lead and Copper Rule, established in 1991, aims to reduce the risk of exposure to lead in drinking water. It specifies:
- Criteria for testing and monitoring public drinking water systems
- Requirements for optimizing corrosion treatment to prevent leaching
- Principles for lead service line replacement over time
It also provided for public education on the risks of lead poisoning. Lead and copper rule revisions in 2007 and 2021 provided for enhanced monitoring and preventive practices and improved the protection of children at childcare facilities and schools.
What Are the Water Services’ Responsibilities?
Community water services and non-transient non-community water services must take steps to protect public health by minimizing the concentration of lead and copper in drinking water. This should be primarily through water treatment to reduce the corrosion of lead and copper pipes. If public water systems continue to exceed the lead limit, they must take steps to reduce their lead service line inventories by 3% per year (previously 7%). An amendment under consideration would raise the annual replacement percentage to 10%.
How Can You Reduce Lead and Copper in Your Drinking Water?
You can reduce lead and copper in drinking water to safe levels through these two simple actions.
Regular Flushing of Water Lines
If you haven’t used water for a few hours, run the water for at least 30 seconds before using it for drinking or cooking. Never use hot water for cooking or making baby formula.
Use Lead Water Filters
Purchase certified lead water filters for all drinking and cooking water. Be careful to replace the filter cartridge according to the manufacturer’s schedule.
Who Is Responsible for Replacing Lead Service Lines?
Water services and homeowners share the responsibility of replacing lead service lines.
- Water services are responsible for replacing the LSL from the supply main to the curb stop valve.
- Homeowners must pay to replace their part of the lead line from the curb to the home.
Some jurisdictions have chosen to pay for the complete line. Owners can elect not to upgrade their part of the LSL, but they’ll continue to be exposed to lead.