Is There Lead in Your Tap Water?

Lead is not typically found in source water, but it can enter drinking water through older plumbing materials, lead service lines, household pipes, fixtures, or solder. Water utilities in Hagerstown, Harrisonburg, Salem, and Roanoke use corrosion-control treatment to help reduce the potential for lead to leach into drinking water. While all four systems report lead levels below the EPA Action Level of 15 ppb, some homeowners still choose to test their water or install filtration systems for additional peace of mind.

The City of Hagerstown reported lead levels of approximately 0.94 ppb. Hagerstown uses corrosion-control treatment to help minimize lead leaching from household plumbing materials. While the city’s water quality results remain within regulatory standards, older homes may still contain plumbing components that can contribute lead to drinking water.

Harrisonburg Public Utilities reported lead levels of less than 2.0 ppb. The utility uses corrosion-control treatment throughout the distribution system and continues to monitor lead and copper as required by federal drinking water regulations. Homes built before modern plumbing standards may still benefit from additional testing.

The City of Salem reported lead levels of approximately 3.1 ppb. Salem uses corrosion-control treatment as part of its water treatment process to help reduce lead exposure from plumbing materials. Although lead levels remain within federal standards, homeowners with older plumbing may choose to take additional precautions.

The Western Virginia Water Authority reported that none of its lead samples exceeded the EPA Action Level, and the 90th percentile lead result was reported as non-detect (0 ppb) throughout the Roanoke-area systems. The Authority also reports that it has not identified lead service lines within its public distribution system and continues to maintain corrosion-control treatment to protect water quality throughout the region.

Lead most commonly enters drinking water after it leaves the treatment facility.

This can occur through:

The most effective way to reduce potential lead exposure is through proactive measures at the household level.

Testing your water and understanding your home’s plumbing system can help identify potential risks. Simple steps like flushing pipes before use, using cold water for drinking and cooking, and maintaining plumbing systems can help reduce exposure.

In addition to its once widespread use, and continued use in some plumbing fittings and solder, lead is virtually undetectable in water. Since you can’t see, taste, or smell it, prolonged exposure can be common. Lead in drinking water is especially harmful for young children and pregnant women, but is not safe for anyone to consume, in any concentration. Since lead is not visible, tasteless, and odorless, many homeowners are unaware of exposure without testing.

For children, the effects of consuming lead-contaminated water are especially high. Once consumed, lead remains in our bodies or ‘bioaccumulates’, as we can’t flush the contaminant from our system. Once there, lead can cause serious behavioral and cognitive problems for children, and over time it can lead to:

Lead also crosses the placenta, so it’s especially important for pregnant women to avoid drinking water contaminated with lead. In addition to harming the mother, it can cause stunted fetal growth and premature birth.

For the average adult, lead exposure from water can cause heart and cardiovascular issues, reduce kidney function, and contribute to reproductive problems.

The degree and severity of these issues depends on how much lead you’ve been exposed to, and how much is stored in your body, though governing health authorities like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) caution that no amount of lead is safe.

Certain water treatment systems are designed to reduce lead at the point where water is used most.

Common solutions include:

These solutions can help provide more consistent water quality throughout the home, especially in areas where plumbing may contribute to trace metal exposure.

Because lead exposure can vary from one home to another, testing is one of the most important first steps.

A professional water test can help determine:

The Flint Water Crisis began in 2014 when a change in water source and improper treatment caused lead to leach from aging pipes into the drinking water supply.

While the immediate crisis has since been addressed and water quality has improved significantly, the situation remains one of the most well-known examples of how changes in water chemistry and infrastructure can impact drinking water safety.

Today, Flint is often referenced as a case study in the importance of corrosion control, infrastructure maintenance, and ongoing water quality monitoring.

The final tally on the Flint Water Crisis, which included e.coli bacteria, THMs, lead, and a Legionnaire’s disease outbreak, resulted in 6,000 to 12,000 children exposed to lead and a slew of lawsuits, investigations, resignations and criminal indictments.