PineBreeze Inspections

4 Ways To Reduce Lead In Your Water

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Lead poisoning is typically associated with lead-based paint, but it can also be found in numerous unexpected places like drinking water. Ever since the Flint water crisis made headlines in 2014, more and more people have become aware of the risks of drinking lead-contaminated water.

The effects of lead poisoning are dangerous and harmful, especially in young children. People may experience nausea, pregnancy complications, developmental delays, and more. No one wants to deal with the symptoms of lead poisoning, so what can you do to reduce your risk of being exposed to lead in drinking water? Read on to learn how lead can contaminate water, what you can do to reduce lead levels, and steps to take if you get infected.

How Does Lead Get Into Drinking Water?

Nowadays, lead in drinking water is far less common than it was a hundred years ago. Thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Act, lead exposures have decreased drastically.

But even still, lead can appear in drinking water if water travels through lead service lines that connect a home to the main water line. Even homes without lead service lines may have other items soldered with lead, such as:

  • Brass or chrome-plated brass faucets
  • Galvanized iron pipes
  • Lead-lined water tanks

Lead can infiltrate drinking water when a particular chemical reaction happens in plumbing materials containing lead. This reaction is known as corrosion, which dissolves or wears away metal from pipes and fixtures. Water with high acidity or low mineral content can cause more severe corrosion. How much lead ultimately enters the water is based on:

  • Acidity or alkalinity of the water
  • Types and amounts of minerals in the water
  • Amount of lead the water comes in contact with
  • Level of wear on the pipes
  • Water temperature
  • Length of time the water stays in pipes
  • Presence of protective scales or coatings in the pipes

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Lead in Water

No safe blood level of lead has been identified for young children, meaning all lead exposures are considered dangerous. Lead is a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body over time. Unfortunately, you cannot see, smell, or taste lead in drinking water. Since lead is not noticeable to the naked eye, you need to test for the presence of lead if you have any suspicion of it, such as living in a house built before 1978.

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to reduce lead levels in your drinking water. Begin by having your water tested by a professional, and then take the necessary steps afterward.

Get Your Water Tested

After moving into a new house or apartment and identifying that you have a suspicion of lead, you must contact your water company to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the main water line is made from lead. Your water company will also be able to provide information about the lead levels in your drinking water.

Next, call your local health department to schedule a water test. Lead water testing typically costs between $20 and $100, but some cities and states offer free or reduced-cost programs. An official water test will confirm the lead levels in your water. When collecting samples for testing, make sure to avoid turning on the water in your home for at least six hours before sampling.

Let Your Water Run

Certain cities have local ordinances about flushing tap water if it hasn’t been turned on for several hours. If it is confirmed that you have lead present in your water, be sure to flush your home’s pipes before drinking any water. You can flush your pipes by:

  • Letting the tap water run
  • Taking a shower
  • Doing laundry
  • Running the dishwasher or handwashing dishes

The amount of time to run the water will depend on specific circumstances, such as the length of the lead service line in your home. Your water utility company will recommend how long to run water before it’s safe to drink.

Use a Certified Filter

Another way you can reduce lead in water is to use a filter that is certified to remove lead. Look for a filter that has an NSF/ANSI standard 53 for lead removal. When using these filters, it is essential to properly install and replace the cartridge when needed. If you use a cartridge after it has expired, it will be significantly less effective at removing lead. Never pour hot water through a filter.

Only Use Cold Water

Lead levels can be reduced in drinking water by only using cold water for drinking, cooking, and mixing baby formula. While it is commonly thought that hot water is cleaner, that anecdote does not apply to lead. Boiling water does not remove lead from water. Warm and hot water is more likely to contain elevated levels of lead. It is worth mentioning that showering in lead-contaminated water does not cause lead poisoning. The only way lead can cause poisoning through water is by ingesting it.

Water Inspections in Colorado

Never take a chance on water purity or the condition of your well in Colorado or any other state for that matter.  Water is the primary source for all living things and clean water is essential for humans to remain in good health.  In rural areas, we rely on our wells to produce clean and pure water and in Colorado, especially in the mountainous areas, well water is what we use 99% of the time. PineBreeze Inspections will protect your family by making sure not only your water is safe, but the systems supporting your clean water are fully functional and efficient.  When we are finished with your well and water inspection, you can hydrate with confidence!

What does a Well Inspection Entail?

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What’s Involved in Professional Water & Well Inspections?

When you’re in the process of buying a new home, having your water tested is essential. While public water systems are mandated to test and treat their water, these tests only cover the water that has yet to leave the treatment plant. Once it leaves the plant, your water must pass through miles of piping, some of which may be in disrepair or contain lead, before it enters your home’s plumbing system.

Pine Breeze Inspections is equipped to ensure the water in your home is high-quality and safe to consume. Whether you are just moving in or you’re already settled and just recognizing that your water has an abnormal odor, color, or taste, our professional team can confidently assist you.

Protect yourself and your family and contact us today if you have any questions about a water and well inspection for your property or home. We proudly offer service to clients in Colorado Springs.

The Dangers of Low-Quality Water

Not only does low-quality water have an unpleasant taste and smell, but it can also have a number of long-term effects on the body.

Poor water quality can result in several problems, such as:
● Neurological disorder
● Abdominal disease
● Respiratory disease
● Cancer
● Cardiovascular disease

According to the EPA Safe Drinking Water Act, there are two categories of contaminants. Primary contamination encompasses contaminants that have health-related effects. Secondary contamination includes contaminants with aesthetic effects.

Comprehensive Water Inspections For Your Home

Testing the water in your home is the only way to determine potential contaminants and/or biological compounds such as:
● Dangerous levels of bacteria, including E-Coli and Coliform
● Elevated levels of nitrates and nitrites from fertilizers that leach into groundwater
● Imbalances in PH levels
● High fluoride levels
● Mineral contaminants such as iron and arsenic
● Heavy metal contamination such as copper and lead

Professional Well Water Inspections

If you get your water from a private well, you are responsible for scheduling water & well inspection services. Most homeowners who use well water don’t request these services until they decide to sell their property. The EPA highly recommends that well owners schedule water testing
services every year and whenever they suspect an issue. Our certified master inspector will test your well for any traces of pH, total dissolved solids, nitrates, coliform bacteria, chemicals, and any other suspected contaminants. Because well water is not regulated, activity around your water source can change rapidly and impact the overall quality.

Some of the most common sources of contamination in well water include:
● Agricultural activity and the use of pesticides and fertilizers
● Waste from animals and livestock
● Mining and industrial activity
● Household chemicals that have been improperly stored
● Nearby septic tanks or leach fields
● Natural occurrences such as floods, tornadoes, earthquakes and hurricanes

What is a Well Water Quality Test?

A well water quality test is used to check your water for any impurities or contamination. It provides a holistic picture into the content of everything from water bacteria and parasites to heavy metals and organic chemicals. To perform a well water quality test, a certified Pine Breeze inspector will come to your home and collect a sterile sample from your water source. They will typically collect water at the well and from your tap for comparison. This helps to better determine where any potential contamination is coming from and ensure thorough coverage.

Then, the samples of your water will be analyzed for contaminants. In many cases you can get your results within three to five days. After receiving the comprehensive report, your inspector will review it with you and help determine the best course of treatment for any issues identified. Often solutions can be as simple as a well water filtration system

Levels Testing We Offer:

Basic Water Testing

This test is designed as a fast laboratory- precision screen for lead, copper, and high PH levels.

Coliform & E.Coli Screening

This test is performed in a professionally certified laboratory and analyzes a drinking water sample for potentially harmful bacteria. This test checks for the presence of Coliform & E .Coli.

Radon Water Screening

Radon is a known carcinogen with a particular impact on internal organs and the stomach. Various US states suggest levels for radon in drinking water range from 300 to 10,000 pCi/L.

VOC Water Screening

This tests your water for 50+ volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). Many of these are significant health risks and can migrate into your drinking water from a variety of sources such as chlorine disinfection, proximity to waste facilities, proximity to agricultural activity, and much more.

Schedule Your Water or Well Water Inspection in Colorado Springs

Whether well water quality testing is required to buy your dream home or you would like to know more about what you’re drinking, it’s easy to connect with a certified PineBreeze Inspector. Contact PineBreeze Inspections today to schedule your well inspection.