Drinking Water

Home flushing recommendations when reconnecting water services

Lead water pipes can sometimes be found in older homes. Drinking water faucets manufactured before 2014 were allowed to contain up to 8 percent lead. This lead can sometimes find its way into our drinking water. Pick the right filter.

Lead found in drinking water is soluble or particulate. Soluble lead is lead that is dissolved in water. Particulate lead is small pieces of lead from lead-containing material. Either type of lead can get into your drinking water when pipes or faucets containing lead begin to break down or dissolve. The amount of lead that can end up in drinking water depends on:

• Water chemistry (what is in the water).
• Contact with lead-containing items (if it passes through lead plumbing or fixtures).
• Water use (how often and in what amount water runs through plumbing and fixtures).
• Construction or plumbing repairs in the street or home (particulate lead can be released).

Lead can also get into drinking water from:

• Environmental contamination sites.
• Natural sources in the environment.

Lead can also be found in well water or other ground water sources.

Learn about lead in drinking water by watching, “Together, Let’s Get the Lead Out.”

Your water is either from a public water supply or from a private well. If you get a bill for your water, you are on a public water supply. Public water suppliers are required to test household water for lead. Private wells do not have the same requirements.

To learn more about your drinking water, contact:

• Your public water supplier for their annual water quality report, or Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).
• Your local health department.

If your public water supplier is not able or willing to sample your home or if you have a private well, you can still get your water tested. Contact a laboratory certified for lead analysis or request information from your local health department to learn more.

Want to learn more about the new Lead and Copper Rule (LCR)?

Visit the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) website for an overview of the Rule, the sampling process, and for additional resources.  Or visit the University of Michigan’s website to read about how they are supporting the implementation of Michigan’s revised Lead and Copper Rule.

WHAT EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE?

Lead in drinking water	Cleaning your aerators	Limpiando sus aireadores
PUR faucet filter installation  Filtro de aqua para grifo PUR	How to use your PUR pitcher	BRITA faucet filter installation
Reducing potential lead exposure from drinking water guidance	Reducir la exposición potencial al plomo del agua potable guía	Partial lead service line replacement
Particulate lead in drinking water	Plomo particulado en el agua potable orientación	Galvanized service lines
Construction activity could affect your drinking water	Actividades de construcción pueden afectar su agua potable hoja informativa	Sample bottle selection when testing water for lead