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  • How does the Safe Drinking Water Act limit lead in pipes, plumbing fittings, fixtures, faucets, solder and flux?

    Answer: Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) establishes the definition for “lead free” as a weighted average of 0.25% lead calculated across the wetted surfaces of a pipe, pipe fitting, plumbing fitting, and fixture and 0.2% lead for solder and flux. The Act also provides a methodology…

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  • Is exposure to lead contaminated drinking water from absorption through skin a health threat?

    Answer: Human skin does not absorb lead in water. For more information visit our website: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water . Question (23002-32377) Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .

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  • Are non-transient, non-community water systems (NTNCWSs) required to monitor for lead and copper?

    Answer: All community water systems (CWSs) and NTNCWSs must collect lead and copper tap samples. The frequency of the monitoring and number of samples to be collected and analyzed is based primarily on the number of people served and tap water monitoring results. For an outline of monitoring requirements (e.g…

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  • Is there anything else I can do beyond flushing my tap or buying bottled water?

    Answer: Yes, find “Important Steps You Can Take to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water” if you are concerned about lead in their drinking water. The list is not intended to be exhaustive or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead from drinking water. EPA recommends you also contact your…

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  • My neighbors got their water tested and found lead. Is my water safe?

    Answer: Lead usually gets into drinking water through contact with plumbing materials such as lead pipes or lead solder, or faucets, valves, and fixtures made of brass (brass contains some lead). Since each home has different plumbing pipes and materials, test results are likely to be different for each home…

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  • Can one still sell lead solder under the Lead Ban?

    Answer: Section 1417(a)(3) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) prohibits the sale of solder and flux that is not lead-free unless the solder or flux bears a prominent label stating that it is illegal to use the solder or flux in the installation or repair of any plumbing providing…

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  • Why do water systems add phosphate to drinking water? What are the health effects of drinking water containing phosphates? 

    Answer: Public water systems (PWSs) commonly add phosphates to drinking water to prevent the release of metals in drinking water. Orthophosphate is most commonly used for lead and copper control. Polyphosphates sequester iron and manganese to prevent discolored water but are not effective to control lead and copper. Blended phosphates…

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  • Tier2 Submit software and confidential chemical location information

    When using EPA’s Tier2 Submit software to comply with the annual Hazardous Chemical Inventory reporting requirement under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) §312, how can a person withhold confidential chemical location information from disclosure to the public? In order to fulfill the proper reporting under EPCRA, a…

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  • Do states require extra Tier II information?

    Do states require additional information on the Tier II report? How can I find out about the state data requirements? Some states do want additional Tier II information; contact your state Tier II administrator to learn specific details. Tier2 Submit includes fields for the additional information requested or required by…

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  • No Street Address Availability Tier II Reporting

    Pursuant to 40 CFR 370.42(d) , Tier II chemical inventory information must include the complete name and address of the location of the facility (including the full street address or state road, city, county, State and zip code), latitude and longitude. If a facility does not have a street address…

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  • Read frequent questions on lead in drinking water

    Read frequent questions on lead in drinking water . Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .

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  • What are the public education requirements for non-transient, non-community water systems (NTNCWSs) that have exceeded the lead action level?

    Answer: When there is a lead action level exceedance, non-transient, non-community water systems (NTNCWSs) must post informational posters on lead in drinking water in public places or common areas in buildings they serve. NTNCWSs must also distribute informational pamphlets and/or brochures on lead in drinking water to each person they…

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  • How can lead get into my drinking water?

    Answer: Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In homes with lead pipes that…

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  • Is it permissible for a training provider to employ more than one training manager?

    Answer : Yes. The Rule requires that a training provider employ a training manager that meets the qualifications in 40 CFR 745.225(c)(1). EPA does not interpret this to be a limitation on the permissible number of training managers. Therefore, a training provider may employ more than one training manager so…

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  • Does boiling water remove lead?

    Answer: No, boiling water does not remove lead. Question (23002-32378) Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .

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