Lead and copper are naturally occurring metals that have often been used in indoor plumbing. Pipes and plumbing may contain lead, copper, or their alloys, such as brass; some solder used at copper pipe joints may also contain lead. Water, particularly corrosive water, can dissolve small amounts of these metals into drinking water. The potential for leaching increases the longer the water is in contact with plumbing components.
Exposure to lead and copper may cause health problems ranging from stomach distress to brain damage. Both lead and copper are harmful when ingested, but lead is more toxic because it can accumulate in the body. Lead damages the brain, nervous system, kidneys, reproductive system, and red blood cells. It is more toxic to children than to adults, and it can harm their mental and physical development. Copper is much less toxic than lead; however, elevated levels of copper for 14 days or more can cause permanent kidney and liver damage in infants under the age of one year and it can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in people of all ages.
On June 7, 1991, EPA published a regulation to control lead and copper in drinking water. This regulation is known as the Lead and Copper Rule. The treatment technique for the rule requires systems to monitor drinking water at customer taps. Because lead and copper in drinking water is mainly due to the corrosion of service lines and household plumbing, tap water samples are collected at kitchen or bathroom taps of residences and other buildings.
If lead concentrations exceed an action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) or copper concentrations exceed an action level of 1.3 parts per million (ppm) in more than 10 percent of customer taps sampled, the system must undertake additional actions such as corrosion control treatment (CCR).
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around homes. Although lead is found in nature, most exposure comes from human activities or use. Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust are the primary sources of exposure for children. Lead is sometimes used in plumbing materials or in water-service lines used to bring water from the main line to homes, schools, or other buildings.
Residents with concerns about lead levels in the drinking water at their home can have their water tested for lead. Homeowners may want to test if their home has lead pipes or if they see signs of corrosion. Water systems sometimes offer free testing for customers with concerns about the quality of the drinking water in their house. Residents can call their water system using the phone number on their most recent water bill to see if testing services are available. The water supplier may also provide useful information, including whether the service connector used in the home or area is made of lead. Testing is especially important in apartment buildings where flushing might not work. If residential water comes from a household well, homeowners can check with their health department or local water systems that use ground water for information on contaminants of concern in their area.
Residents who wish to test their water themselves should use a state-certified lab for sample analysis. The Division of Drinking Water has compiled a list for homeowners of instructions on how to collect samples, and when to return samples to the lab.
- Flush pipes before drinking. The more time water has been sitting in a home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. The most important time to flush is after long periods of non-use, such as first thing in the morning, after work, or upon returning from vacation.
- Use only water from the cold-water tap for drinking, cooking, and especially for making baby formula. Hot water is likely to contain higher levels of lead.
- Utilize household water-use activities — showering, washing clothes, flushing the toilet, or running the dishwasher — for flushing pipes and allowing water from the distribution system to enter household pipes.
- Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead in drinking water.
- Check with the public water supplier in areas served by older water systems to see if they have lead pipes or service lines and if they have been replaced partially or in whole. In many lead service-line replacements, the replacement will only have been to the meter, and there may be lead service-lines after the meter and lead pipes within the building. To determine if the property has a lead service line or lead pipes, hire a licensed plumber to inspect the service line and replace all lead pipes.
- Purchase replacement plumbing products that have been tested and certified to “lead-free” standards.
Copper
Copper is a naturally occurring metal found in rock, soil, water, and sediment. Pure copper is red-orange but becomes blue-green when exposed to air and water. Copper is used in many different products, including wire, plumbing pipes, and sheet metal. Pennies made before 1982 are made of copper, while those made after 1982 are only coated with copper. Copper is also combined with other metals to make brass and bronze pipes and faucets.
Residents with concerns about copper levels in the drinking water at their home can have their water tested. Blue-green stains on plumbing fixtures, for example, may indicate elevated levels of copper in the water, and a high level of copper usually leaves a metallic or unpleasant bitter taste in the drinking water. Water systems sometimes offer free testing for customers with concerns about the quality of the drinking water in their house. Residents can call their water system using the phone number on their most recent water bill to see if testing services are available. If residential water comes from a household well, homeowners can check with their health department or local water systems that use ground water for information on contaminants of concern in their area.
Residents who wish to test their water themselves should use a state-certified lab for sample analysis. The Division of Drinking Water has compiled a list for homeowners of instructions on how to collect samples, and when to return samples to the lab.
- Flush pipes before drinking. The more time water has been sitting in a home’s pipes, the more copper it may contain. The most important time to flush is after long periods of non-use, such as first thing in the morning, after work, or upon returning from vacation.
- Use only water from the cold-water tap for drinking, cooking, and especially for making baby formula. Hot water is likely to contain higher levels of copper.
- Utilize household water-use activities — showering, washing clothes, flushing the toilet, or running the dishwasher—for flushing pipes and allowing water from the distribution system to enter household pipes.
- Do not boil water to remove copper. Boiling water will not reduce copper in drinking water.
- Be mindful of copper exposure in newer homes with copper pipes, as they may be more likely to have a problem. Over time, a coating forms on the inside of the pipes and can insulate the water from the copper in the pipes. In newer homes, this coating has not yet had a chance to develop.