ABA Family Legal Guide

Home Ownership

Property Insurance and Other Protections

Environmental Issues

What can you do about lead in drinking water?

Lead-based solder has been banned since 1988, but homes built before then often have lead solder that corrodes into drinking water. You can't tell whether pipes leach lead by looking at them, but a simple chemical test can identify it. If you want to have your water tested, ask your local, county, or state health or environment department about qualified testing laboratories. If you're having plumbing work done in an older home, check for lead pipes. Even new faucets and fixtures can put some lead into the water. One way to reduce the risk is to run the faucet for one minute before using water for drinking or cooking. Never use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or especially for making baby formula. Heat increases the leaching of lead into water.

If you do have lead in your water, several devices are available to reduce corrosion, including calcite filters, distillation units, and reverse-osmosis devices. Be aware that water softeners and carbon, sand, and cartridge filters are not effective for removing lead. Get qualified advice before buying or leasing a device, as their effectiveness varies.