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Lead in tap water - what can I do?

GasX

Lifer
I just got the results back from the lead test I ran on my tap water

54 parts per billion

The EPA actionable limit is 15ppb, so I have to do something to remedy this.

When I had the house inspected, it was pointed out the the line coming into the house from the street is a lead pipe, so this is the likely cause. Anyone aware of any regulations stipulating that my town or the local water company are responsible for fixing this.

I will do what I have to do, as trying to get your wife pregnant and feeding her lead filled tap water is not a good combo, but I am not happy about the likely great expense of changing that pipe.

update: looks like the town MAY fix the problem. Add to that the fact that I am having much of my internal plumbing replaced, and I could have the problem completely solved by spring... 🙂

note - I am fairly certain that when a town engineer says "may" he means "fvck you" 🙁
 
Holy sh!t! :Q

Well, first have your piping updated....... or to see if that's the problem. Is it old? If that doesen't help, you will have to get them out there to find the source of the lead. I highly doubt it's at 54ppb at the source.... that'd be insane.

Edit: lol, should've read the entire OP first.

I guess you will just have to call them and find out. Do you own the line comming into the house? If so, I'd imagine that you would have to pay for it. If you don't, I am sure they would be happy to do it.
 
I would call your city utility company about it initially. For most utilities, anything outside the foundation of your house is their problem not yours, and with levels that high they would be required to do something about it immediately, including probably testing all of the water in the area for lead as well.
 
I would make sure that it's the pipe responsible first. It seems likely it's the pipe feeding into the home but I'd hate to put out the expense of changing the pipe only to still have the same problem. Can you test a neighbor's water?
 
Originally posted by: GimpyOne
I would call your city utility company about it initially. For most utilities, anything outside the foundation of your house is their problem not yours, and with levels that high they would be required to do something about it immediately, including probably testing all of the water in the area for lead as well.

Where do you get that from??????😕

Around here it is anything outside of your property line. That includes incoming water and sewer lines.
 
Well, I hope GimpyOne is right, but I think SunDogg is for where I live too... 🙁

Just left a message with the water company to see where they stand. Next call - local town government...
 
Originally posted by: Mwilding
Does a charcoal filter absorb lead?
Yes and no. I believe they will to an extent, but you would obviously want a filter that is specifically designed for lead removal.

Activated carbon is generally used to remove things like odors and tastes.....
 
maybe if you install a inhouse water filter, not the tap ones but the industrial type units. You will have to replace all the lead pipes first with copper, your house must be old to have lead pipes.
 
Originally posted by: Sundog
Originally posted by: GimpyOne
I would call your city utility company about it initially. For most utilities, anything outside the foundation of your house is their problem not yours, and with levels that high they would be required to do something about it immediately, including probably testing all of the water in the area for lead as well.

Where do you get that from??????😕

Around here it is anything outside of your property line. That includes incoming water and sewer lines.

same here
 
Iif you call 1-800-222-1222 it should connect you to the nj poison info and education center they should know of a lead coordinator in your area or have somebody on staff that knows alot about lead. You can also try there website. the number above is the a nationwide # that should connect you to your local poison control center.
 
Originally posted by: ITCHY96
Iif you call 1-800-222-1222 it should connect you to the nj poison info and education center they should know of a lead coordinator in your area or have somebody on staff that knows alot about lead. You can also try there website. the number above is the a nationwide # that should connect you to your local poison control center.
They referred me to the health department
 
Originally posted by: PatboyX
uh oh...are you really in hoboken?! now im nervous about my own water.

Not anymore - I just moved into an 80 year old house in Glen Ridge, NJ
 
Well, I just double checked things, gas and electric are the utilities responsibility here to the foundation, you are only responsible for inside your house. I'm in the middle of nowhere, or everwher depending on how you look at it.

Water, unfortunately, you are responsibe for to the property lines.

Sorry if I was off.

 
80yr old house? cricky..that might explain it.

last time ilooked at my pur tap filter. it seemed to claim lead filtering.. dunno
 
update: looks like the town MAY fix the problem. Add to that the fact that I am having much of my internal plumbing replaced, and I could have the problem completely solved by spring... 🙂

note - I am fairly certain that when a town engineer says "may" he means "fvck you" 🙁
 
Originally posted by: Mwilding
update: looks like the town MAY fix the problem. Add to that the fact that I am having much of my internal plumbing replaced, and I could have the problem completely solved by spring... 🙂

note - I am fairly certain that when a town engineer says "may" he means "fvck you" 🙁
You will just have to pester them until they're so sick of you......

lol

Hmm... Our house was built in the 40s..

How did you have your water tested?
 
Originally posted by: Eli
How did you have your water tested?
Bought a testing kit at Home Depot.

You just fill up the tube first thing in the morning with water that has sat in the pipes all night and mail it in with your $15 check. 2 weeks later - voila!

 
Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
don't worry, i can get your wife pregnant for you, and i don't have lead pipes. everything will be ok. :thumbsup:
My two-headed, three-tailed swimmers are just fine, thank you very much! :|
 
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