The quality of our drinking water is a very important part of everyday life and can be affected by the many different things that happen in the world around us. We should make sure we are getting safe, high-quality water to drink every day. This guide will teach you how to do just that!
Is There A Danger Of Lead Pollution In My Water?
Flint, Michigan’s water supply being contaminated with lead has brought attention to the significance of clean, healthy water everywhere, including your Mid-Atlantic home. Do you know how to ensure that the water from your home’s tap is safe to drink?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, polluted water is responsible for between 10% and 20% of Americans’ lead exposure. Due to the fact that lead accumulates in the body over time, even low quantities of lead may become harmful to the body.
Testing Your Drinking Water For Lead
Putting your water to the test, whether it comes from a well on your property or from a public water system, is the only way to ensure that it is safe to drink. Water quality varies from house to home, despite the fact that public water utilities do their own testing as part of their monitoring operations. If your house contains lead pipes or your non-plastic plumbing was built before 1986, testing your water is very vital. Furthermore, lead dissolved in water cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled.
You may request a copy of your municipal water supplier’s consumer confidence report, which is mandated to be completed on a regular basis. These reports may be found here. Lead levels in drinking water should not exceed 15 parts per billion. If you have well water, you should test it when it’s first installed and again if you have a pregnant lady, an infant, or even a youngster under the age of 18 living in the house.
The only way to really determine the quality of the water coming out of your faucet is to test it, either by requesting a sample from your local water company or by obtaining a lead testing kit from your local home improvement shop.
When completing your own home test, it’s critical to remember to:
- Carefully follow the testing instructions.
- In the testing, use “first draw water,” which is the first water that comes out of your faucet after it has been resting overnight.
- Send the water sample to a lab that has been certified by the state. These accredited laboratories may be found here.
How To Lower Your Lead Exposure from Drinking Water
Lead in drinking water is common in some areas, which is not good. Lead exposure can lead to health problems, such as high blood pressure and anemia. There are a few things you can do to lower your lead exposure from drinking water:
- Lead may be removed from drinking water using several faucet and pitcher filters. If you use one, be sure it is lead-free and has been certified by the National Sanitation Foundation International.
- Clean the screen on your faucet where minerals might accumulate.
- Before drinking, run your tap for 15 to 30 seconds, particularly if it hasn’t been used in over six hours.
- Have any youngsters or elderly people in the house checked for lead poisoning.
- Use cold water to cook. In hot water, the concentration of lead is most likely to be greatest.
- Mix the baby formula with cold water.
- Visit the EPA website or contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 for additional information about your water supply or your risk.
Contact A Plumber For Assistance With Lead Removal
If your house tests positive for lead, you may need to repair the fixtures and pipes that are causing the problem. A plumbing professional can assist you with pipe replacement or whole-house re-piping. PVC, copper, and PEX plastic pipes are likely available for your property. A plumber is available to address any of your home’s plumbing issues 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The “how to know if water is safe to drink in the wild” is a question that people who travel often ask. There are many ways to make sure your drinking water is safe.
If you drink water from a well source, you could have low water pressure. Find out how to handle this in How To Fix Low Water Pressure When You Have A Well System.
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