Lead in Drinking Water — Pike & Wayne County, PA
Homes built before 1986 in Pike & Wayne County often contain lead in service lines, solder, or fixtures. Water testing is the only definitive way to confirm its presence.
Lead rarely originates in source water. Instead, it leaches from aging pipes, lead solder, and brass fixtures within a home's plumbing. Cases of acidic well water are widespread across Pike and Wayne counties, with pH levels below 6.5, which accelerates the corrosion of lead-containing plumbing. No safe level of lead exposure exists, particularly for young children and pregnant individuals. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets its action level for lead at 15 parts per billion. Addressing lead contamination varies depending on the solution chosen.
Reducing Lead Exposure
- Flush cold water for at least 30 seconds each morning before use.
- Refrain from using hot tap water for cooking or preparing baby formula.
- Install a lead-certified reverse osmosis system, specifically rated NSF/ANSI 53, for drinking water.
- Conduct annual water quality tests if your home was constructed before 1986. This is especially crucial in homes experiencing pinhole leaks or other signs of corrosion, which are symptoms of acidic conditions common in the Catskill Formation aquifers underlying the region.