Lead in Water: What You Need to Know

In the wake of Flint, Michigan’s water crisis, lead contamination has been in the headlines, affecting drinking water in schools and homes across the United States, from New York to Oregon.

Lead Is a Silent Threat

Lead contamination in water can often go unnoticed, since it’s virtually undetectable – it doesn’t give off any odor, taste, or visual hints. Typically, lead exposure comes from aging pipes and plumbing infrastructure that have not been updated and eventually become corroded, leaching the harmful substance into water.

Health Effects of Lead Exposure

No amount of lead in drinking water is considered safe. Because lead is a toxic metal, it can be harmful to your health, even if exposure is minimal. The most vulnerable to lead exposure are young children and infants. While a small amount of lead exposure may have little effect on an adult, that same dose could significantly affect a child.

Lead exposure in a young child can cause:

• Behavior and learning problems
• Lower IQ and hyperactivity
• Slowed growth
• Hearing problems
• Anemia

In an adult, lead exposure can cause:

• Increased blood pressure and hypertension
• Kidney dysfunction
• Infertility
• Pregnancy complications

Facing Potential Lead Contamination

If you suspect your water is contaminated with lead, stop using it immediately and switch to bottled water for drinking and cooking. The only way to confirm lead contamination is with a water test. Your local Culligan Expert can sample your home’s water and send it off to our IL- EPA-certified lab for testing. You’ll have results within the week and your Culligan Man can help find a solution to treat any lead or other contaminants.