10 Signs Your Drinking Water May Contain Lead

Lead in drinking water is invisible. You cannot taste it or smell it and it rarely changes the look of your tap water. That means you often rely on clues in your home rather than obvious warning signs in the water itself. Here are ten signs that suggest you should test for lead even if the water appears normal.

1. Your home was built before 1986
Homes built before this year commonly used lead solder, brass fixtures with high lead content, or lead service lines.

2. The home has original plumbing
If the plumbing system has never been updated, there is a higher chance that lead components are still in place.

3. You experience staining or discoloration around faucet bases
This can be a sign of corrosion, which increases the likelihood of lead leaching.

4. Water tastes metallic
Although lead has no taste, corrosion that causes lead release often changes the water’s flavor.

5. Low water flow from faucets
Sediment and corrosion inside pipes can restrict flow and may indicate deteriorating plumbing.

6. Warm or hot tap water has a stronger taste
Hot water pulls metals from pipes more easily than cold water.

7. Children in the home show unexplained symptoms
Lead exposure can cause fatigue, irritability, developmental delays, and loss of appetite. Testing your water is an important diagnostic step.

8. You recently replaced or disturbed plumbing components
Work on pipes can temporarily increase lead levels by exposing fresh metal surfaces.

9. The city notifies you of construction or pipe replacement nearby
Changes in municipal water flow can loosen scale and release lead from service lines.

10. You simply do not know the age or history of your plumbing
Uncertainty alone is a reason to test. Lead testing is inexpensive and provides clarity.

Lead is a serious contaminant, especially for children. A simple screening test helps determine when further laboratory analysis is needed.

By Ryan N., PhD