Lead in Water – How to Remove Contaminants

Remove Lead from Water

Lead in water is a significant concern for many households across the United States. As awareness grows about the dangers of lead exposure, understanding how to remove lead from your water supply becomes increasingly important. Lead can easily make its way into your tap water and you wouldn’t know until it’s too late. The health risks associated with lead are many and often it is children who pay the biggest price.

What is Lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal found in the Earth’s crust. It has been widely used throughout history due to its malleability and resistance to corrosion. However, lead is also highly toxic, especially when ingested or inhaled. Despite regulations that limit its use, lead can still be found in many environments, including older paint, soil, and most alarmingly, in drinking water.

Lead is not only dangerous because of its toxicity, but also because it can accumulate in the body over time. Even small amounts can cause serious health issues, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. The dangers of lead exposure have prompted strict guidelines and regulations, but the presence of lead in water systems continues to be a critical public health issue.

How To Remove Lead in Water

Pure Water Distillers

Pure Water Distillers are the most effective way to remove contaminants like lead from tap or well water. Instead of lugging bottled water from the store, invest in your health with a water distiller. Our distillers are made in the USA with stainless steel.

• Effective: Distillation is highly effective at removing lead, as well as other contaminants, by heating water to create steam and then condensing it back into water.
• Remove More Than Lead: Your Pure Water Distiller will remove many more contaminants than just lead (see our Independent Lab Test Results).
• No Chemicals Required: This process does not involve any chemicals or filters, making it a natural way to purify water.
• Long Lasting: Our Pure Water Distillers last for years! In fact, there are some in use that are over 40 years old.
  
• Minimal Maintenance: Maintenance is a breeze with a Pure Water Distiller. Owners change a filter and clean the boiling tank periodically depending on use.
  
• Parts Available: Our machines are so easy to maintain that, if a part needs to be replaced, it can be ordered on our website and usually fixed by the owner.
• Support: Our machines are backed by phone and email support.
• Made in the U.S.A.: Our stainless steel water distillers are made in the USA by skilled technicians!

How Does Lead Get Into My Water?

Lead typically enters drinking water through the corrosion of pipes and plumbing materials that contain lead. This is particularly common in older homes with lead service lines or lead-based solder. When water flows through these pipes, it can dissolve or dislodge lead particles, which then contaminate the water supply.

Factors that increase the likelihood of lead leaching into water include water acidity (low pH), high temperature, and the age of the plumbing infrastructure. The longer water stays in contact with leaded plumbing, the greater the risk of contamination. Homes built before 1986 are at a higher risk, as lead was commonly used in plumbing until it was banned by the Safe Drinking Water Act amendments of 1986.

What Are The Health Risks of Lead?

Lead is a potent neurotoxin, and exposure to even low levels can result in a variety of health issues. Ingesting lead-contaminated water can cause developmental delays, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities in children. For adults, lead exposure can lead to cardiovascular problems, decreased kidney function, and reproductive issues.

The most severe effects of lead poisoning are seen in children, whose bodies absorb lead more easily than adults. Lead exposure during pregnancy can also harm the developing fetus, leading to premature birth, low birth weight, and developmental problems.

There is no safe level of lead exposure, and its effects are often irreversible. Therefore, preventing lead from entering your drinking water is crucial to safeguarding your health and that of your family.

Who Does Lead Poisoning Affect the Most?

Lead poisoning disproportionately affects certain populations. Children under the age of six are at the highest risk due to their developing brains and nervous systems. Pregnant women and their unborn children are also particularly vulnerable to lead exposure. Low-income communities and communities of color are more likely to live in older housing with lead pipes, increasing their risk of lead exposure.

In addition to socioeconomic factors, the location of a home can also influence the likelihood of lead exposure. Urban areas with aging infrastructure are more prone to lead contamination in water, whereas newer developments are less likely to have lead plumbing. However, the risk is not confined to any specific demographic or region, making it a widespread concern.

What Parts of the USA Have The Most Lead in Tap Water?

Lead contamination in tap water is a nationwide issue, but certain regions are more affected than others. Cities with older infrastructure, such as Flint, Michigan, have made headlines due to dangerously high levels of lead in their water supplies. Other cities, such as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Newark, New Jersey, have also faced significant lead contamination issues.

The Midwest and Northeast regions of the U.S. are particularly vulnerable due to the age of their water systems. Many of these areas have older homes with lead service lines, increasing the likelihood of lead leaching into the water. However, even states in other regions, such as California and Texas, have reported elevated lead levels in some communities.

Should I Be Concerned About Lead?

Yes, everyone should be concerned about water quality including lead in water.  Lead in drinking water is a serious health risk that can have long-lasting effects. Understanding how lead enters water, the health risks it poses, and the areas most affected by lead contamination is crucial for protecting your family’s health.Distillation is a highly effective method of removing lead from water. Ultimately, staying informed and proactive is the key to ensuring your drinking water is safe from lead or other contaminants. Testing your water and keeping abreast of any local advisories or infrastructure updates. All are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from the dangers of lead in drinking water.