Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is found in water due to various sources, including corrosion of plumbing pipes, fixtures, or solder containing lead. The presence of lead in drinking water is a significant concern as it can pose serious health risks, especially for young children, infants, and pregnant women. When lead enters the body, its known to accumulate over time and cause adverse health effects, regardless of the levels of exposure, resulting in developmental issues in children, including learning disabilities, decreased IQ, and behavioural problems. In adults, lead exposure can contribute to high blood pressure, kidney damage and reproductive problems. To address lead contamination in water there are several measures that can be taken such as, regular testing of tap water, especially in older homes, old pipe work, including fixtures, fittings and tapware and various other methods. Flushing water sources regularly, use of filtration systems as point of entry or point of use to reduce or remove lead and the use of cold water over hot water for washing and cooking purposes as hot water is more likely to contain higher amounts of lead due to potential leaching form hot water systems. Public health measures and regular monitoring and treatment of drinking water supplies by local water utilities aids in understanding what’s been done to the water by lead and what can be done to effectively reduce or remove lead from your water supply.