Lead in drinking water is a serious problem that can harm health, especially for kids, pregnant women, and people with existing health issues. So knowing how to remove lead from drinking water is crucial for keeping your family safe and healthy. At Aquastream, we focus on giving you clean and safe water through smart filtration solutions that fight off contaminants like lead. In this guide, we’ll look at effective ways around how to remove lead from water naturally and how you can protect your home with the right filtration system.
What Happens if Lead is in Your Water?
Consuming water with lead over time can pose serious health risks, as the body is unable to naturally eliminate lead. Once it's in, lead builds up in your blood and organs, causing long-term problems.
Specific Effects of Lead Consumption in Water
In children:
- Poor brain development and lower IQ
- Learning and behaviour challenges
- Slower growth and development
In Adults:
- High blood pressure and a greater chance of heart disease
- Kidney damage and less kidney function
- Fertility issues for both men and women
In Pregnant Women:
- Higher risk of miscarriage or stillbirth
- Premature birth and low birth weight in babies
- Possible developmental problems for the unborn child
Even small amounts of lead can lead to major health concerns, which means it’s important to deal with lead contamination quickly to keep your family healthy and avoid these serious issues.
How Does Lead Get in Drinking Water?
Even with today's water treatment technology, lead can still sneak into drinking water without any obvious signs or taste changes. Knowing where lead comes from is key to ensuring clean water at home or when it’s time to look at how to remove lead from your tap water.
Ageing lead pipes and service lines
Old lead pipes in plumbing systems and service lines are often a major source of lead contamination. While many areas have replaced these pipes, some still exist, especially in homes built before the 1980s. When water flows through these pipes, lead can seep into the supply, especially if the water is corrosive or sits still for a long time.
Brass fixtures and fittings
Modern plumbing fixtures may still have brass that includes small amounts of lead. Over time, as water interacts with these fixtures, lead can dissolve into the water, particularly if the water is acidic. This often happens in taps, valves, and other parts where water sits before being used.
Solder used in plumbing
Lead-based solder was once commonly used to connect copper pipes and can be another source of contamination. Even though it’s banned in many places, older homes might still have it. As the solder breaks down, lead particles can mix with the water, posing a risk to anyone who drinks or cooks with it.
Water corrosion
Corrosive water, often due to low pH levels or high mineral content, can make lead leach from pipes and fixtures more easily. While municipal water treatment plants try to prevent this by adjusting water chemistry, local conditions can still lead to corrosion. By spotting these sources, you can take steps to lower the risk of lead in your drinking water. For how to remove lead from water, consider upgrading your plumbing, using certified lead-free fixtures, or investing in a good water filtration system.
How to Remove Lead From Drinking Water
Make use of lead water filters
Getting lead out of drinking water is crucial, and investing in a good lead filtration system is one of the most effective and convenient ways to do this, ensuring it is safe and clean for consumption. Specialised water filters, such as carbon block or activated carbon filters, are designed to trap and reduce lead particles, along with other contaminants like chlorine, sediment, and chemicals. Many water filters are certified to meet stringent standards for lead reduction, making them a reliable option for addressing contamination. Available in various forms, including undersink systems and whole-house units, they cater to diverse needs and budgets. By incorporating a high-quality water filter into your home, you can enjoy improved water quality for the home and peace of mind knowing your family is protected from harmful lead exposure.
Replace old faucets and plumbing components
Modern plumbing components are manufactured to meet stricter safety standards, including being lead-free or containing minimal allowable levels of lead. Upgrading these fixtures not only reduces the risk of lead exposure but also enhances overall water quality. Water filter taps combined with regular maintenance and inspections, replacing outdated plumbing components is a proactive step towards ensuring a safer and healthier water supply.
Install a reverse osmosis system
Reverse osmosis works by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane that blocks lead particles, along with impurities like arsenic, chlorine, and bacteria. This process significantly reduces lead levels, providing clean, safe drinking water. RO systems are particularly beneficial for homes in areas with aging infrastructure or elevated lead risks. Easy to install and maintain, reverse osmosis systems offer a long-term solution for improving water quality.
Let water run before use
When water sits in pipes for extended periods, it can absorb lead from fixtures, solder, or pipes containing lead. Flushing the tap for a few minutes ensures that stagnant water is cleared, allowing fresh water from the main supply, which is less likely to contain lead, to flow through. This practice is particularly useful in the morning or after extended periods of non-use. While not a sure-fire solution, letting water run before use is a helpful interim measure that, when combined with other strategies like a puratap filter, can improve water safety and taste.
Ensure Lead-Free Drinking Water for Your Home
Ensuring lead-free drinking water for your home is essential for protecting your family’s health, and Aquastream offers a range of high-quality solutions to make this possible. From advanced water filtration systems designed to remove lead and other harmful contaminants (such as the chloramine carbon filter), anti-legionella solutions, specialised reverse osmosis systems, and more. With a commitment to innovation and reliability, Aquastream products deliver clean, safe, and great-tasting water. For further information on how to remove lead from water naturally, explore our range of filtration solutions today and take the first step toward a healthier, lead-free water supply.
