CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Lead can be harmful if ingested by pregnant mothers or young children. Even small amounts can cause damage to a developing brain and be linked to educational and behavioral problems later in life, as well as chronic health problems.
Cleveland's source water generally isn't a concern. Water quality is constantly monitored and tested before it's released from a treatment plant. It can however, pick up particles of lead as it travels to your home, especially if it's moving through older pipes and faucets.
To prevent that, Cleveland Water consistently adds a chemical called orthophosphate to water that binds to the lead and forms a protective coating on the inside of pipes to deter lead from getting into the water we drink.
Still, if corrosion occurs in the pipe or if a pipe is jarred or disturbed, that coating can loosen and send lead particles into the water. Older faucets and fixtures in homes can also deteriorate and allow lead to get into the water.
Pipes installed before 1954 are far more likely to contain higher levels of lead.
Here's what experts say you can do to understand and reduce lead poisoning risks from water:
Gather information on city pipes that carry water to your home.
Cleveland Water created a tool that allows you to search your address and access information the department has gathered on the water lines it is responsible for. The information isn't perfect and if the pipe was installed prior to 1954 and there's no clear record of replacement or repair it will be deemed "likely lead."
Or use this quick look up of "likely to be lead" addresses.
Click here to load this Caspio search
If your home isn't served by Cleveland Water, call your local provider.
Starting next spring all water suppliers will be required by Ohio law to supply some information on lead water service pipes.
Figure out if the line that runs from the curb to your home contains lead
Homeowners are responsible for the pipes that run from the curb or driveway connection to their water meter, which is located in the basement or on the outside of the home.
If your home was built before 1954 there's a higher chance the pipes contain lead.
After you locate the line, a simple scratch test can help you determine whether the line is lead, galvanized steel or copper.
Click on the link below for a step by step process. Information can also be found here on Cleveland Water's site. It includes photos of copper, steel and lead pipes for comparison.
Test a sample of your drinking water
Older fixtures, faucets and the solder used to connect them can also contain lead. If you have concerns about whether those might be carrying lead into your water, especially if you are pregnant or have young children, experts recommend having the water tested by a qualified lab.
Flush, flush and flush some more
Running the the cold water for a minute or two - until it becomes noticeably cooler - should allow lead from any source to run out of the pipe.
Lead particles, if they are jarred loose or dislodge from pipes or deteriorating fixtures, are more likely to do so after water has been sitting still in a pipe for six hours or more.
Times to flush might be in the morning, after returning home from work or if you've been on vacation.
Clean your aerator
Look at the part of your faucet where the water comes out. Inside there is a wire screen where lead particles (and other yucky stuff) can become stuck.
Unscrew that portion of the faucet, clean the aerator and put it back on.
If it is really gunky you can soak the screen in white vinegar for a few minutes.
Do this periodically, especially for faucets used for drinking, brushing teeth or water used for cooking.
Don't cook with or drink warm water from your tap.
Warm or hot water is more likely to carry lead and boiling water does not remove lead. Use only cold water for cooking or making baby formula.
Take note of road work, water and sewer repairs or other construction near your home
Cleveland Water adds orthophosphate to water at the source, which binds to lead in water and creates a protective coating on the inside of pipes that carry water into homes and businesses. That coating can shake loose if the pipes are significantly disturbed and cause the level of lead in the water to spike until the coating is re-established, which can take anywhere from a month to a year.
Cleveland Water Commissioner Alex Margevicius said pipes would have to be jarred aggressively for the coating to be disturbed. There's no scientific consensus, though, on whether the rumbling from roadwork, digging or jack hammering could release lead or how far away the disturbance is would be worthy of concern.
Cleveland Water officials said their workers will start leaving door hangers when pipe replacement or repair work is done to alerting residents to take precautions for a period of time.
Point-of-use filter or pitcher
There's considerable disagreement about using faucet filters or pitchers to remove lead from drinking water. First, only certain filters are tested and considered safe for removing lead particles.
Looks for types of filters tested by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) or Water Quality Association (WQA). (Read more about those standards here.)
Common types of filter include:
- Pitcher-style filters. Designed to work like a coffeemaker. These filters are the least expensive and simple to use. They can be slow, have limited capacity and need frequent filter changes.
- Faucet-mounted filters. Mainly screw on to faucets, some allow you to bypass the filter if you are not using for drinking water. Requires frequent filter changes.
- Under-sink filters. Similar to faucet mount models but installed under the sink. You may need a plumber to install and, generally, there's no bypass so the filter capacity is used more quickly.
The cost of water treatment filters and devices varies significantly and shouldn't be confused with water purification devices meant to remove bacteria.
IMPORTANT: If filters aren't routinely changed or maintained, lead could build up and its release into water could have a harmful effect.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency doesn't recommend or recognize faucet, sink or pitcher filters as safe ways to prevent lead poisoning.