In the western Chicago suburb of Bartlett, officials found an unusually high concentration of lead in the drinking water of many homes and buildings in the community.
Lead doesn’t come from water sources but can end up in tap water due to the natural corrosion of pipes over time. Any lead plumbing not updated in structures built before the the mid-80’s are likely to find traces in their water supply. Different factors such as temperature and acidity of water and amount of wear on pipes influence the extent of lead entering water.
Officials are taking this seriously because high concentration of lead can cause significant health issues for children and pregnant women. It has also been linked to cardiovascular issues, a decrease in kidney function and reproductive problems in average adults.
Bartlett is taking affirmative action to decrease the issue such as providing water filters to affected homes but what else should be done in such circumstances?
Source: Bartlett Lead Discovery
Frequently Asked Questions
How does lead get into tap water?
Lead does not come from water sources but enters tap water through the natural corrosion of pipes over time. Buildings with lead plumbing that has not been updated since before the mid-1980s are likely to have traces of it.
What affects how much lead gets into drinking water?
Factors such as the temperature and acidity of the water and the amount of wear on the pipes influence how much lead enters the water supply.
Why is lead in drinking water dangerous?
High lead concentrations can cause significant health issues for children and pregnant women. In adults, lead has been linked to cardiovascular issues, decreased kidney function and reproductive problems.
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