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  • Why is nitrate contamination a concern?

    Nitrate is an acute contaminant, meaning that health effects can occur immediately (I.e. within hours or days) of short-term exposure. Too much nitrate in your body makes it harder for red blood cells to carry oxygen. While most people recover quickly, this can be very dangerous for infants and some…

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  • Will my filter remove lead?

    Answer: Some filters can remove lead from drinking water. If you use a filter, be sure to get one that is tested and certified by an independent third party. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s directions to learn how to properly install and use your filter and when to replace…

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  • Where can I get more information on lead in drinking water?

    Answer: For more information, visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water or contact us online at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/forms/online-form-epas-office-ground-water-and-drinking-water . You may also contact by email at [email protected] . Your state or local public health department will also be able to provide information about lead. Question (23002-32409) Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining…

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  • What home treatment devices are used to control lead in drinking water?

    Answer: EPA has developed a consumer tool to identify point-of-use drinking water filters certified to reduce lead at: https://www.epa.gov/water-research/consumer-tool-identifying-pou-drinking-water-filters-certified-reduce-lead . Question (23002-32406) Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .

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  • How do I have my drinking water tested in the future?

    Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommends you use an accredited laboratory to test your water. Contact an accredited laboratory to get sample containers and instructions or ask your county environmental or public health services if they provide well testing services. Accredited Labs in Minnesota Accepting Drinking Water Samples from Private…

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  • Why can’t I use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula?

    Answer: Hot water dissolves lead more quickly than cold water and is therefore more likely to contain greater amounts of lead. Never use water from the hot water tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula. Question (23002-32380) Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead…

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  • I am looking at a water report for my public water system. Under the contaminant heading for lead and copper there is a column heading titled 90th percentile. What does this column mean?

    Answer: The Consumer Confidence Report must include the 90 th percentile concentration of the most recent round(s) of sampling for lead and copper. If the “90 th percentile” level is above the action level, this is called an action level exceedance. The action level is the concentration of a contaminant…

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  • Can I get my water tested for lead?

    Answer: Homes may have internal plumbing materials containing lead. Since you cannot see, taste, or smell lead dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of telling whether there are harmful quantities of lead in your drinking water. A list of certified laboratories are available from your state or…

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  • Is my water system required to provide me with the results when they test for lead?

    Answer: Yes. Water systems must provide a water quality report (often referred to as consumer confidence report) every year to their consumers. This report must include the 90th percentile concentration of the most recent round(s) of sampling performed by the water system for lead and copper among households sampled by…

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  • What do you mean when you say the action level has been exceeded for a drinking water system?

    Answer: The lead action level is a measure of the effectiveness of the corrosion control treatment in water systems. The action level is not a standard for establishing a safe level of lead in a home. To check if corrosion control is working, EPA requires water systems to test for…

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  • How can I tell if my water contains lead?

    Answer: To determine if your water has lead, have your water tested. Please see the answer to Question (23002-32382) for more information on testing. Since you cannot see, taste, or smell lead dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of telling whether lead is present in your drinking…

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  • Should I be worried about lead contamination from the plumbing in a newly built home?

    Answer: P lumbing in newer homes, especially those constructed after their state adopted the 1986 SDWA lead ban, should have plumbing materials that contain lower levels of lead than homes constructed prior to that date. must ,EPA has provided a table with dates by which each state adopted the 1986…

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  • How are people potentially exposed to nitrate?

    For many situations, the potential for children’s exposure from drinking water is medium to low. The potential can be higher when private wells become contaminated with nitrates from feed lot and agricultural runoff, and contaminated groundwater. Some geographic areas are at higher risk of drinking water contamination of private wells…

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  • What are the possible health effects of nitrate exposure?

    Short-term: Excessive levels of nitrate in drinking water have caused serious illness and sometimes death. The serious illness in infants is due to the conversion of nitrate to nitrite by the body, which can interfere with the oxygen-carrying capacity of the child’s blood leading to blue baby syndrome (methemoglobinemia). This…

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  • What is nitrate?

    Nitrate (NO3) is a compound of nitrogen and oxygen naturally found in air, soil, water, and some food. Plants and animals require nitrates for their survival and growth, and the human body also produces this compound. In industry, nitrate is used as fertilizers for crops and lawns. Additionally, nitrates are…

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