Raleigh Water Meets EPA Standards on Lead

Raleigh Water customers can trust that their tap water meets rigorous Environmental Protection Agency standards, including regulations aimed at reducing lead and copper contamination in public water systems.

Raleigh Water has no known lead service lines.

This year, we tested water samples from 72 homes in our service area. The lead levels ranged from less than three to four parts per billion (ppb), which is much lower than the EPA's action level of 15 ppb. The copper levels were between 0.01 and 0.08 parts per million (ppm), also significantly below the EPA's action level of 1.3 ppm.

Most homes in our service area were built after 1987, the year lead was banned in plumbing. However, we offer free lead-in-water testing for all our utility customers, regardless of your home's age.

You can access our most recent Water Quality Reportsto learn about our comprehensive water testing. View frequently asked questionsabout lead and copper.

Lead Test Kits Available

Raleigh Water customers may request a free kit to test for lead in their drinking water.

• Once your sampling kit arrives, please follow the instructions carefully. Improper sampling, like using non-recommended locations, can lead to inaccurate results. Here's a helpful video from the EPA to guide you through the process and ensure accurate data.
• Allow up to 14 days for your results to be available once your sample is collected and picked up. You will be notified via email once they are ready. If no email address is on file for you, we will mail you a paper copy.
• Since 2014, we have only had four samples out of the thousands tested that exceeded the action level. Action level is defined as the level of concentration of a harmful or toxic substance or contaminant. The action level for lead is currently 15 PPB.

Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water | US EPA

How Raleigh Water Keeps Water Safe

• Inventorying Service Lines: We are actively identifying and mapping our service lines to ensure we meet EPA requirements.
• Optimizing Corrosion Control: Our advanced corrosion control program, which includes pH adjustments and the use of specialized compounds, helps prevent lead and copper from leaching into the water supply.
• Regular Water Testing: We conduct regular water quality tests to monitor for contaminants.

The primary source of lead and copper in tap water is the customer's plumbing. Older infrastructure, including lead service lines or lead solder in copper pipes, can cause lead to leach into the water through corrosion.

The longer water stands in the pipes when not in use (for example, overnight or over a weekend), the higher the lead concentration is likely to become. If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.

How to Check Your Water Service Line

Tips to Minimize Lead Exposure

Keep your family safe from lead: Easy tips for clean water

• Flush the faucet: Run cold water for 5 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking, especially if the water hasn't been used for more than 6 hours. You can use this flushed water for plants or dishes to save water.
• Cold is best: Always use cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Hot water dissolves more lead.
• Filter option: Consider using a water filter certified to remove lead (NSF 53-certified). Check https://www.nsf.orgfor approved filters.
• Clean the faucet: Regularly remove and clean the screens on your faucets to remove any lead particles.

By taking these proactive measures, Raleigh Water is committed to providing safe, high-quality water for our community.