The main source of lead in drinking water is from lead service lines (the pipes that deliver water from water mains in the street and into homes) and from typical household plumbing (lead solder and brass fixtures) that contains lead.

Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of the body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children and pregnant women.

If you are concerned about lead exposure:

• Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead.
• Visit the EPA at EPA.gov/lead for more information on the health effects of lead or reducing lead exposure in your home.
• Call Aqua at 877.987.2782 for information about testing your water.

Water utilities, including Aqua, treat drinking water to reduce the chance for metals to leach into the water. Aqua conducts required testing for drinking water contaminants, including lead and copper, to ensure compliance with state and federal drinking water standards. Aqua tests the water at our treatment plants, and also schedules customer tap sampling and tests for lead, to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) lead and copper rule.

You can always view your community’s test results. They are summarized in our annual water quality reports, which are produced for every water system we own and operate.

If your home’s water shows elevated levels of lead, or if you are concerned about the potential of lead in your water, below are ways you can minimize your exposure.

• Run your tap to flush out lead. If your water hasn’t been used for several hours, run your water for a few minutes or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before drinking or cooking. More on flushing your faucets below.
• Use cold water to cook or prepare baby formula. Don’t boil water to reduce lead. Lead dissolves more easily into hot water and boiling will concentrate the lead. Boiling water won’t reduce lead.
• If you buy a water filter for lead removal, make sure it’s approved to reduce lead. Contact NSF International, www.NSF.org.

Aqua will:

• Identify the material type of your service line. You can help us by providing information about your service line here.
• Provide sampling bottles and instructions and test your water for lead.
• Enter into an agreement to replace your portion of the service line
• Replace your service line and provide pitcher filters to protect against lead for six months after disturbance.
• Restore your property as reasonably as practicable
• Dedicate the new service line back to you, at which time you will reassume responsibility.
• Provide a warranty on the work completed

Aqua requests your assistance in identifying what material your service line is made of. Please watch the following video and fill out the form below. One of our water quality team members will be in touch for next steps if needed.