lead in my drinking water
#1
01-09-19, 03:59 PM
lead in my drinking water
My water test came back with .019 mg/l reading of lead. EPA says max range should be .015 Should I be concerned? its seems like a small difference.
What do you all think?
What do you all think?
#2
01-09-19, 05:31 PM
Group Moderator
I would say it is really up to you. Some people would say it is a big deal while others would not. It really depends on how much of the water your consume. Do you have children? Maybe you should have everyone in your family have their body lead levels checked to see if your levels are heightened.
#4
01-10-19, 02:45 AM
I wouldn't be overly concerned although I would make sure I drank bottled water and not that tap water. Lead paint is a bigger health hazard for kids than adults - don't know if that transfers to water or not. I like the suggestion to have your doctor check everyone's lead levels.
#5
01-10-19, 03:50 AM
Member
As others have alluded to, if you have kids, then I would concerned. If you're older then maybe not so much. The problem with lead is that's is accumulative (or is the proper word cumulative) and will only get worse with time.
Traits, advice is probably the best. You need to find the source. Then you can address the issue to continue as is or take corrective action.
Traits, advice is probably the best. You need to find the source. Then you can address the issue to continue as is or take corrective action.
#6
01-10-19, 04:11 AM
Member
If you had two glasses of water one with marginal amounts of lead and one with none which would you choose?
An RO systems with dedicated tap for drinking and cooking is only a few hundred dollars and IMO a better/cheaper/easier solution to bottled water!
An added benifit, RO system will remove almost every other contaminate and is clean tasting, I cant drink "city" water anymore, taste like pool water!
An RO systems with dedicated tap for drinking and cooking is only a few hundred dollars and IMO a better/cheaper/easier solution to bottled water!
An added benifit, RO system will remove almost every other contaminate and is clean tasting, I cant drink "city" water anymore, taste like pool water!
#8
01-10-19, 10:41 AM
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
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When I get the water tested for lead they ask for 2 samples: “First Draw”, where water sat in pipes overnight, and “Running Water”, where you run the water a bit before you take the sample. I get a difference : First Draw = 0.006 mg/L and Running Water = 0.003 mg/L.
You can see they are both low but one is in fact 2x the other.
Just mentioning that because maybe you would get a better result (< 0.015 mg/L) if you let the water run a little bit and at least that might make you feel a little better, knowing that if you let the water run a little you are certainly within EPA bounds.
(and also as you say, you are only over the high limit by a hair)
You can see they are both low but one is in fact 2x the other.
Just mentioning that because maybe you would get a better result (< 0.015 mg/L) if you let the water run a little bit and at least that might make you feel a little better, knowing that if you let the water run a little you are certainly within EPA bounds.
(and also as you say, you are only over the high limit by a hair)
#9
01-10-19, 10:51 AM
Group Moderator
This source also mentions running the water... in addition it recommends examining your fittings.
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/bchs/cl...nkingwater.pdf
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/bchs/cl...nkingwater.pdf
#10
01-10-19, 11:59 AM
I would personally be concerned. EPA has to set realistic limits so they can actually be met. That doesn't mean they are safe. I like the RO system idea. Ideal for aquarium water too, if you have fish.
#11
01-10-19, 06:01 PM
ill do some research on the RO. in the meantime, how about everyone elses water. have you all tested for lead, if so, what was the reading? I know someone mentioned above they have .0003. How about everyone else.
#13
01-10-19, 08:13 PM
Group Moderator
Last time I had a checkup at the doctor I asked him to run a blood test for lead, due to my daily work exposure to paint chips (scraping windows almost daily for 15+ yrs) and the test came back negative (below average levels). So while I've never had the water tested, I did do the blood test! Gave me peace of mind, anyway... its something I always slightly worried about.
#14
01-11-19, 02:10 AM
We get a report from the water company each year that states all the level of all the contaminates in the water. I don't remember the figures but lead levels were well below the acceptable level. I don't believe there is any lead concern with my plumbing. Back in the 70s I applied a good bit of lead based primers/paints so I was tested about 10 yrs ago and I also had a negative test. ...... and I was one of those punk kids back in the late 50s early 60s that dug the wet glazing out the windows at school to make fangs and other stuff put in my mouth 
#15
01-11-19, 03:31 AM
Member
due to my daily work exposure to paint chips (scraping windows almost daily
#16
01-11-19, 06:32 AM
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
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Never have. Where could I get a sample tested, this thread has made me interested.
(they do a separate lead test however, so you don't necessarily have to get everything)
#17
01-11-19, 09:07 AM
Member
We get a report from the water company each year that states all the level of all the contaminates in the water.
Same here, we get an annual report, but that is from testing water as it leaves the treatment plant. My concern is more about older municipal water systems that frequently used lead pipe and fittings back in the day (think Flint, MI) and perhaps for some people, lead from the household piping from the days of lead bearing solder. My home has all copper water lines, but I know they were installed with lead free solder.
I found an answer to my own question.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/PRO-LAB-...W107/100174134
In addition to the purchase price, I see there is also a $40 lab analysis fee.
#18
01-11-19, 10:39 AM
Member
I'm sure there are local labs that can also do testing. Our state Dept. of the Environment publishes a list of certified water testing labs.
