Your water may leave the treatment plant without lead—but that doesn’t necessarily mean lead can’t enter it before it reaches your glass.

When most people think about contaminants in drinking water, they assume they originate at the water source. Lead is different.

In many cases, lead enters drinking water after the water has already entered the distribution system, through plumbing materials located between the water main and your faucet.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), common sources of lead in drinking water include lead service lines, faucets, fixtures and plumbing materials containing lead.

That means the quality of the water delivered by your local utility and the water that ultimately comes out of your kitchen faucet can be influenced by the plumbing it encounters along the way.

Where Can Lead Come From?

As water travels through a plumbing system, it can come into contact with materials containing lead. Corrosion can cause some of that lead to enter the water.

Common sources include:

• Lead service lines — Pipes connecting homes to the water main can be a significant source of lead when they contain lead.
• Older copper plumbing with lead solder — Lead-containing solder was historically used to join copper pipes.
• Faucets and fixtures — Some faucets, valves and other plumbing components can contribute lead to drinking water.
• Galvanized plumbing — Lead particles can accumulate on galvanized pipes and potentially be released later.

This is also why two homes served by the same municipal water system can potentially have different lead levels at the tap. Plumbing materials and conditions can differ from one property to another.

Why Lead in Drinking Water Is a Concern

Lead is a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body over time. Although lead exposure can affect people of all ages, infants, young children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable.

The EPA’s health-based goal for lead in drinking water is zero. Public-health authorities also emphasize that there is no known safe level of lead exposure for children.

Why Children Are Especially Vulnerable

A child’s brain and nervous system are still developing, making children particularly sensitive to the effects of lead.

Lead exposure in children has been associated with:

• Learning and behavioral problems
• Lower IQ and reduced ability to pay attention
• Damage to the brain and nervous system
• Slowed growth and development
• Hearing problems
• Anemia

Of particular concern is that some developmental effects associated with lead exposure can be irreversible.

Infants deserve special consideration as well. If powdered infant formula is prepared using water containing lead, that water can become an additional source of exposure.

Lead and Pregnancy

Reducing lead exposure is also especially important during pregnancy.

Lead can accumulate in the bones over many years. During pregnancy, some stored lead can be released into the bloodstream. Lead can also cross the placenta and reach the developing baby.

Lead exposure during pregnancy has been associated with increased risks including premature birth, reduced fetal growth and harm to the developing nervous system.

For households with young children, infants or someone who is pregnant, reducing potential exposure to lead in drinking water is especially important.

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Reverse Osmosis Can Reduce Lead at the Tap

The good news is that homeowners have options for reducing lead in the water they use for drinking and cooking.

A properly designed reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water system certified for lead reduction can significantly reduce lead in drinking water.

Reverse osmosis uses a specialized membrane, typically in combination with additional stages of filtration, to reduce contaminants before the water reaches a dedicated drinking-water faucet.

Reverse Osmosis Can Do More Than Reduce Lead

Lead isn’t the only reason homeowners choose reverse osmosis. It can also remove a range of contaminants and dissolved substances.

A professionally selected system should be matched to the home’s water quality and the homeowner’s goals.

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Concerned About What’s in Your Drinking Water?

If you’re concerned about lead, older plumbing or simply want greater confidence in the water your family drinks every day, testing your water is a good place to start.

If additional protection is appropriate, a professionally installed reverse-osmosis drinking-water system can provide highly treated water for your family’s drinking and cooking needs.

At Matilija Pure Water Systems, we’ve been helping Central Coast families improve the water in their homes for generations. We can help you understand your water and determine which treatment approach makes sense for your home.

Confidence in every glass.

Matilija Pure Water Systems your trusted source for 78 years