Reduce Lead Exposure
How Can I Reduce Lead in My Drinking Water?
Exposure to lead can cause long-term health problems, especially for children younger than six years old and people who are pregnant. People can be exposed to lead by drinking contaminated water or eating food prepared with contaminated water. Lead can hurt a child's brain and nervous system and slow down growth and development. People exposed to lead as children can have lifelong difficulties with learning and behavior and may have trouble paying attention. Even small amounts of lead can harm a child. Lead poisoning is preventable. While it is not the primary cause of lead poisoning in Rhode Island, drinking water can be a source of lead. If a building was built or plumbed before 2014, it could have plumbing materials containing lead. For more information about health effects of lead visit health.ri.gov/lead.
Take These Steps to Reduce Lead in Your Drinking Water:
Run cold water before using.
The longer the water stays in the plumbing, the more lead it may have. If the water in the faucet has been sitting for more than 6 hours, run water for 3 to 5 minutes before using it. Showering and flushing the toilet also help flush your water line.
The longer the water stays in the plumbing, the more lead it may have. If the water in the faucet has been sitting for more than 6 hours, run water for 3 to 5 minutes before using it. Showering and flushing the toilet also help flush your water line.
Use cold water for cooking, drinking, and making baby formula.
Lead dissolves into hot water more easily than cold water. If you need hot water, draw cold water and then heat it. Boiling water does not reduce lead. It is safe to shower, wash dishes, and do laundry with hot water from the tap. Lead does not affect humans through the skin.
Lead dissolves into hot water more easily than cold water. If you need hot water, draw cold water and then heat it. Boiling water does not reduce lead. It is safe to shower, wash dishes, and do laundry with hot water from the tap. Lead does not affect humans through the skin.
Replace your home’s internal plumbing that may have lead.
Potential lead sources include lead pipes, lead-based solder, and brass fixtures and valves (including faucets).
Potential lead sources include lead pipes, lead-based solder, and brass fixtures and valves (including faucets).
Remove and clean faucet strainers.
The strainer/screen is usually at the tip of the faucet and can be screwed off to clean.
1. Remove faucet strainers/screens from all taps.
2. Rinse the faucet strainers/screens.
3. Soak the strainers/screens in vinegar for 5 minutes and then clean with a small brush.
4. Rinse with clean water.
5. Run the water without strainers/screens for 3 to 5 minutes.
6. Put the faucet strainers/screens back in place
Complete these steps every 3 months.
The strainer/screen is usually at the tip of the faucet and can be screwed off to clean.
1. Remove faucet strainers/screens from all taps.
2. Rinse the faucet strainers/screens.
3. Soak the strainers/screens in vinegar for 5 minutes and then clean with a small brush.
4. Rinse with clean water.
5. Run the water without strainers/screens for 3 to 5 minutes.
6. Put the faucet strainers/screens back in place
Complete these steps every 3 months.
Test your water for lead.
As a Providence Water customer, you can request a FREE lead test kit to be mailed to your home to test your drinking water. To request a kit, please call our Water Quality Hotline at (401) 521-6303 during our normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
As a Providence Water customer, you can request a FREE lead test kit to be mailed to your home to test your drinking water. To request a kit, please call our Water Quality Hotline at (401) 521-6303 during our normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Use filters.
Consider using a water filter. Be sure the filter you choose (faucet and/or pitcher filter), is approved to reduce lead (NSF 53/42-certified). Visit
https://tinyurl.com/pitcherfilters to learn more about water filters.
Consider using a water filter. Be sure the filter you choose (faucet and/or pitcher filter), is approved to reduce lead (NSF 53/42-certified). Visit
https://tinyurl.com/pitcherfilters to learn more about water filters.
Test your child’s blood for lead.
Your local doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood test for lead and provide you with information about the health effects of lead. Call the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) for more information including where you can have your child's blood tested.
Your local doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood test for lead and provide you with information about the health effects of lead. Call the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) for more information including where you can have your child's blood tested.
For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's web site at
www.epa.gov/lead or contact your health care provider.
Learn more about Providence Water’s efforts to reduce lead in drinking water:
www.provwater.com/lead | PWleadfree@cdmsmith.com | (401) 575-0776
www.provwater.com/lead | PWleadfree@cdmsmith.com | (401) 575-0776