Lead and Drinking Water

Lead, unlike many other drinking water contaminants, is usually not present in the drinking water source, but rather results from the distribution system or on site plumbing itself.

Health Impacts of Lead

 

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How Lead Gets Into Drinking Water

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Our Campaign for Lead Free Drinking Water

Lead service lines are the biggest source of lead in drinking water. As lead service lines age, water breaks off from inside the pipe and makes its way into our tap water and eventually, our bodies. The most effective way to limit exposure to lead is to remove lead at the source. For lead in drinking water, this means focusing on digging up and replacing lead service lines that are some of the greatest contributors to lead in drinking water.
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photo: Dave Pot / istock

Blog Posts

Publications

Clean Water Action comments on EPA's proposed revisions to the Safe Drinking Water Act's Lead and Copper Rule

Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund respectfully submit these comments regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Proposed Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.

Comments on Denver Water's Draft Lead Reduction Plan

Clean Water Action strongly supports Denver Water’s commitment to seek an alternative to orthophosphate that will achieve the same or greater reduction in lead exposure risk for its customers.

Letter to Congress, Re: Support Funding for Lead Service Line Replacement

While most of us know about the lead contamination in the tap water of Flint MI, few people realize that lead-contaminated drinking water is a nationwide problem, affecting every state. Action is long overdue. We urge the House of Representatives to support the Tlaib/Kildee lead service line funding amendment.
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