Health Consequences Of Lead Exposure

Lead can be hazardous to your health - and can be especially hazardous to children. It has the potential to harm the brain and kidneys, as well as to interfere with the production of red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body. 

Lead causes behavioural and physical effects in children at lower exposure levels than adults, which is why infants, foetuses, and young children are especially vulnerable to lead. Lead poisoning can cause seizures, comas, and even death. 

The vast majority of children and adults that have been exposed to lead show no symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider if you believe you or your child has been exposed to lead in water. A blood lead test is the most accurate way to determine whether you or your child has been exposed to lead.

How To Check If You Use Lead Pipes

1. Examine the pipe running towards your property by opening the flap of your outside stop valve.
   
2. Examine the colour: Lead pipes that have not been painted are a dull grey.
3. Examine the joints: Where two pipes meet, lead joints are rounded and swollen.
4. Gently scratch the pipe: Scratches on lead pipes reveal a gleaming silver metal.
5. Does a magnet adhere? If that's the case, it's made of steel.
6. With a metal object, tap the lead pipe: Lead pipes produce a dull thud rather than the clear ringing of copper or iron pipes.

Even if you don't have lead inside your home, there's a chance you have a lead service line buried between your house and the water main. 

There is always the likelihood that it was only replaced inside the house, so it is essential to check with the water utility or building permits for your house. 

The most dependable method of identifying buried service line material is to dig up the pipe material and work with your water system to verify the pipe material safely.

Common Ways To Reduce Lead In Drinking Water

One common way to reduce lead in drinking water is running your water. The time it takes to run the water depends on whether your home has a lead service line and how long it is.

Flush the pipe before drinking by running the water, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. 

Another method is to use cold water. This means drinking, cooking, and making baby formula should all be done with cold water. 

Keep in mind that boiling water does not remove lead from water. If you use a filter, ensure that's is certified to remove lead. Read instructions to learn how to install and use your cartridge correctly and when to replace it.

Replacement Scheme

The health risks of having lead in your water make it necessary to replace lead pipes in your home. If you have a shared supply pipe, you and your neighbours can agree to replace the entire supply pipe together. 

Suppose your neighbours refuse to contribute to replacing the shared supply pipe. In that case, you can install a new single supply pipe from your property to where the old lead supply connects to the communication pipe. If you do this, you will be responsible for removing your old branch pipe. 

This will prevent a "dead leg" where stagnant water can collect and be drawn into neighbouring supplies. This procedure may require you to cross your neighbour's property, in which case you must obtain their permission before proceeding. 

If you have any further queries about lead pipes, read our guide on whether lead pipes rust.