Lead in Private Well Water

It's YOUR Health
Private well owners are responsible for all water quality sampling before and after the well is approved. Please keep the following in mind when determining whether you should test your private well water supply for lead.

SOURCES OF LEAD IN PRIVATE WELL WATER

Both the United States Geologic Survey and the National Groundwater Association report that the natural presence of lead in groundwater tends to be very small and generally non-detectable. Lead can enter groundwater from industry, mining, plumbing, gasoline, coal, and as a water additive. A greater concern, however, is the presence of lead in plumbing fixtures or well components, and certain solder used to connect pipes and joints.

CLICK For Potential sources of lead in plumbing and wells:

 

POTENTIALLY CORROSIVE GROUNDWATER IN VIRGINIA

The Prevalence of potentially corrosive groundwater for the 50 states and the District of Columbia (USGS)

CLICK for Map Explanation - Groundwater Corrosivity and Lead in Plumbing Systems

 

LEAD AND YOUR HEALTH

The Safe Drinking Water Act requires EPA to determine the level of contaminants in drinking water at which no adverse health effects are likely to occur with an adequate margin of safety. These non-enforceable health goals, based solely on possible health risks, are called maximum contaminant level goals (MCLGs). EPA has set the maximum contaminant level goal for lead in drinking water at zero because lead is a toxic metal that can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels. Lead is persistent, and it can bioaccumulate in the body over time.

Young children, infants, and fetuses are particularly vulnerable to lead because the physical and behavioral effects of lead occur at lower exposure levels in children than in adults. A dose of lead that would have little effect on an adult can have a significant effect on a child. In children, low levels of exposure have been linked to damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, learning disabilities, shorter stature, impaired hearing, and impaired formation and function of blood cells.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that public health actions be initiated when the level of lead in a child’s blood is 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or more.

It is important to recognize all the ways a child can be exposed to lead. Children are exposed to lead in paint, dust, soil, air, and food, as well as drinking water. If the level of lead in a child’s blood is at or above the CDC action level of 5 micrograms per deciliter, it may be due to lead exposures from a combination of sources. EPA estimates that drinking water can make up 20 percent or more of a person’s total exposure to lead. Infants who consume mostly mixed formula can receive 40 percent to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water.

CLICK for Information on Specific Health Risks

 

LEAD IN WELL – WHAT CAN I DO?

First, try to determine the source of the lead in your water. If the groundwater coming into the well is not the problem, a water well system contractor can inspect your well system for any components that contain higher lead levels. A plumber may be able to help in identifying the sources of lead in the household plumbing.

If household plumbing or well system components are the source of unsafe levels of lead, the home owner has options:

CLICK for Options

 

LINKS

VDH Office of Drinking Water/ Lead in Drinking Water
National Groundwater Association
Virginia Household Water Quality Program – LEAD
Center for Disease Control: Lead in Drinking Water from Private Wells

 

Last Updated: March 31, 2017