What To Know About Lead In Well Water
If your household receives water from a private water well on your property, you are responsible for the quality and safety of your home’s water supply. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and our water well company recommend annual water testing and treatment to ensure the health of your well and the water coming from it. An important well water test that should be included is a lead test.
Here, North Florida Water Systems Inc discusses what it means to have lead in your water supply, the health effects of lead, and what to do if you suspect lead in your well water supply. Contact our water well experts today to schedule an appointment for water testing and water treatment.
How Does Lead Affect Health?
Lead is a highly toxic metal and human carcinogen that occurs naturally and is found in Earth’s outer layer. Lead is rarely found in groundwater, but this metal was used for many years in plumbing pipes, fittings, fixtures, faucets, solder, and other household items. When corrosion occurs on pipes, solder joints, and faucets, lead may leach out.
Lead can have negative health effects, but the most severe effects occur in infants and young children. High levels of lead exposure in infants and children can cause delays in mental and physical development, learning difficulties, low birth weight, anemia, stomach issues, and brain damage. In adults and children, high-level lead exposure can cause kidney problems, muscle weakness, reproductive issues, and high blood pressure, making water testing critical.
Should I Have My Water Tested For Lead?
In short, YES. Testing for lead in well water is important for everyone, but it is particularly critical for infants, small children, and people who are pregnant or nursing. Lead cannot be seen by the naked eye and has no taste or odor. The only way to detect lead is through professional water testing. If your home has lead pipes, you see signs of corrosion, if your home is very old, or if you are unsure about the status of or materials used in your water system, contact us today to schedule testing.
What To Do If You Suspect Lead In Your Water?
The older your home is, the higher the chance the plumbing system contains lead. While public water utilities are required to test for lead on a regular basis, they do not test private water wells. If your water comes from a private well, you need to get your water tested. If you suspect lead or contamination in your water or if your water tests positive for lead, follow the precautions below, and contact North Florida Water Systems Inc for more information.
- Use only cold water
- For drinking water, use a high-quality water filter or use pre-filtered water
- Run the water for 15 seconds before using it
- Install point-of-use filters or a distillation system for your drinking and cooking water
- Contact our water well company to schedule prompt well water testing services