Introduction

There are different water contaminants such as heavy metals, lead, excessive minerals, and nutrients. The various water contaminants have various methods of finding their way into the water. In this article, we are going to look at lead as one common and dangerous water contaminant.

What is Lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring metal that exists almost in all parts of the world. It is classified in the group of carbons and contained in most of the equipment we interact with and use in our day to day activities and functions. It is a threat to both the health of children and even adults, though children are the most to its effects.  Children affected by lead suffer from constipation, fatigue, learning difficulties, slow growth rate, and development, vomiting, and loss of appetite among other health problems. For an adult, you may experience abdominal pains, memory loss, headache, muscle pains, reduced sperm count in males, joint pains, high blood pressure among other symptoms.

How do you know that your water is contaminated with lead?

Unlike chlorine, lead does not have a taste or smell, and neither can it be seen. The best way of determining the presence of lead in your water and the level of contamination is by testing your water. This is the only reliable way to enable you to protect yourself and your family members from consuming lead-contaminated water.

How does Lead get into the water?

Plumbing is the primary source of lead contamination in water. In most cases, the pipes used in transporting water are usually the cause of lead contamination. Older homes are likely to suffer from lead contamination in their drinking and cooking water. This is because some of the pipes used in transporting water in these homesteads were laid several years ago before the community realised the dangerous health effects of the substance.

How to remove lead from water

It is important to know the level of lead contamination in your water before deciding on the best method of lead removal. The following are some effective methods of removing lead contamination from water. They can be used alongside your office water coolers, water drinking fountains and home water cooler dispensers.

Using a Lead Water Filter

Lead water filter is the best way of protecting yourself and family members from lead ingestion. Filters can be installed in water cooler dispensers, office water coolers, drinking fountains and water bubblers. A water filter can be placed under the sink, on top of the counter, on water pitches or you can just attach it to the faucet.  Filters come in various types and forms including water filter coolers, water cooler filters, and others. Before purchasing any water filter, always ensure that it is NSF certified for Lead Removal.

Replacing Lead Water Pipes

Most of the plumbing lines, especially water pipes that were laid several years ago, have high levels of lead. Knowing the type of pipe that supplies your domestic water is imperative when it comes to protecting yourself from lead. You can determine the presence of lead in your water supply system by yourself using very simple methods. One of the best ways of detecting the presence of lead is by using a coin to scratch the pipe and then check the colour. Pipes made of copper have the colour of a penny while those made of lead have the colour of nickel. It is easier and cheaper to replace lead water pipes that have been used for private home plumbing. However, for public plumbing, it is relatively expensive and arduous, and you may resort to other methods like water filters.

Flushing out Water before usage in the morning

Though it is a wasteful practice, it may act as a short term solution to lead contamination. If you rely on public plumbing for your water supply, you may opt to flush water in the morning. Flushing out is meant to get rid of the water that has stayed in the lead pipe overnight hence increasing chances of lead leaching from the pipe into the water. This method may not be very effective, but it reduces the level of lead contamination in water.

Conclusion

Lead contamination poses great health dangers. It is, therefore, important to detect the presence of lead contamination in your water then reduce it, or remove it altogether. Aquafil are your partners in safe drinking water. Contact us today for assistance on lead removal techniques from your water supply system as well as for the purchase of water coolers Sydney, office water cooler, filtered water coolers, and drinking fountains among other quality products.