Lead is a poisonous element that should not be in your drinking water. Pregnant women, young children, and infants are most likely to be hurt by lead. Children who are exposed to lead are more likely to develop behavioral issues and brain damage. Adults who are exposed to lead are more likely to develop kidney problems, heart disease and high blood pressure. Fortunately, there are several things that you can do if you have lead in your water.
Contact Your Water Supplier
Your water supplier is responsible for making sure that the water is clean. They will be able to give you the latest copy of the water quality report. It is important to check your water report for your city every year to see if the problem is widespread or if it is isolated to your home. They can also come out and test your water. If you are able to arrange this, make sure you get a copy of their findings for future proceedings and document any steps taken to rectify the situation.
Let the Water Run
You will need to have your water treated or, if the problem is in your pipes, have your plumbing replaced. However, there is something that you can do until you are able to get your water treated. Your water will likely be safe to consume and bathe in you let it run for a few minutes. It is also best for you to use cold water for drinking and cooking. However, the most effective method to clear out heavy metals from your water for long term use is to install heavy metal filters on your showerhead and your kitchen taps, or install a filter for your entire home. This will help if treatment for your water is a long time coming and you need to get the lead out of your system immediately.
Have Your Water Treated
There are multiple ways that you can have your water treated. The two main ways that water is treated are distillation and reverse osmosis. Distillation is a process that involves a heat source. It can also take a long time, so it may not be optimal to use. Reverse osmosis is a process that involves pushing the water through a series of filters. The reverse osmosis system will filter out lead as well as many other contaminants. Your drinking water will be clean and pure after the contaminants are flushed out. If your lead levels are beyond the city’s regulated safety limits, however, and the problem is further spread than just your home, then it will be your water provider’s responsibility to choose the most effective method.
Contact an Attorney
Water suppliers are responsible for making sure that the water is safe. That is why you can contact a lead poisoning lawyer if you have been hurt by lead in your drinking water. The attorney will be able to help you file a lawsuit and get the compensation that you deserve, as well as help push the water suppliers in your city to act faster to provide safe and properly filtered water. Of course, you don’t want to fight this alone, so it’s best to work with an attorney who can gather evidence both from you and others in your community to make a stand against negligent water suppliers.
High levels of lead or other heavy metals should not be in your drinking water. If you find it in your water, it is important to act quickly to protect your health. It is important to remember that this may be impacting others in your community as well, and that fighting for access to clean water will benefit all those living under the same conditions as you. Don’t just filter out the problem yourself without finding the source of the problem and working to stop it.
Author information: Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.
