Tap Water Pipes Inside: Protecting Your Family's Health and Home

Protecting your family's health and home is crucial, especially when it comes to tap water pipes inside. Lead contamination can occur through corroded pipes, which can leach lead into the water.

Older homes are more likely to have lead pipes, but even newer homes can have lead solder in their pipes. In fact, the EPA estimates that 15% of the nation's water systems have lead levels above the action level.

Corrosion can also be caused by low water pressure, which can lead to leaks and further damage to the pipes. Regular maintenance can help prevent these issues.

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Corrosion control treatment has been shown to be effective in keeping lead levels in 90% or more of the city's homes below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard of fifteen parts per billion (15ppb).

Having a lead service line or other plumbing does not necessarily mean your home's water has high levels of lead.

After you've used your faucets or showerheads, it's a good idea to flush them to remove any built-up debris and sediment. This is especially important if you haven't used them in a while.

To flush your faucets or showerheads, follow these steps: Turn on the cold water fully and let it run for 2 minutes, then turn off the cold water. Next, turn on the hot water fully and run it until it starts to feel hot, then turn off the water. If your faucet or showerhead has one handle that controls both hot and cold water, put the handle all the way to the cold setting and run the water for 2 minutes, then move the handle all the way to hot and run the water until it starts to feel hot.

If you notice brown or yellow hot water on first draw, it's likely due to galvanized iron pipe in your internal plumbing. This condition is harmless, but it can be unsightly. After running your tap for a few minutes, the discolored water will be replaced by clean water from your water heater or the water main.

Regularly flushing your water heater is also important. This can help prevent germs from growing and make your water heater last longer. Most manufacturers recommend flushing your water heater annually, before you move into a home, after plumbing work, or if tap water is discolored.

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Corrosion can be a sneaky problem in older plumbing systems. Lead can dissolve from plumbing materials into water, a process called corrosion.

This happens when water sits unused in lead or galvanized pipes for a period of 6 or more hours, causing the pipe to corrode or wear away. Lead service lines or lead solder can dissolve into the clean water we deliver to our property.

Dissolved lead is not visible, making it difficult to detect without testing. Corrosion control treatment has been shown to be effective in keeping lead levels below the EPA standard of fifteen parts per billion (15ppb) in 90% or more of homes.

Galvanized iron pipes can also be a culprit behind discolored water, especially if the zinc coating on the inside of the pipe wears thin. This can cause brown or yellow water to appear only for a minute or two after turning on the tap.

Iron is an essential nutrient, so discolored water due to galvanized pipes poses no health hazard. However, if the discoloration bothers you, you can flush the tap until the water becomes clear and save the water for iron-loving plants.

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Having a lead service line doesn't necessarily mean your home's water has high levels of lead. Corrosion control treatment has been effective in keeping lead levels below the EPA standard of 15 parts per billion (15ppb) for over 20 years in The City of Saint Louis.

You can reduce the chances of lead exposure by flushing your tap when using it for drinking or cooking if your water has been sitting idle for several hours.

Germs in Pipe Slime can be a serious issue. Pipe slime is a slimy, glue-like substance that allows germs to stick to surfaces, such as the inside of a water pipe.

This slime helps germs survive and multiply by keeping water treatment chemicals away from them. It's like a protective shield for the germs.

Some germs that live in pipe slime can cause serious illnesses. For example, Legionella bacteria cause lung infections, while Naegleria fowleri ameba cause brain infections.

Here are some examples of germs that can be found in pipe slime and the illnesses they cause:

These germs can be present in pipes even if the water looks and tastes fine. It's essential to be aware of the risks and take steps to prevent pipe slime buildup.

Lead pipes are a concern for many homeowners, and it's essential to know what to look for and how to identify them.

The City of Saint Louis Water Division is responsible for treating and distributing safe drinking water, but once the water reaches your service line, it's your responsibility to maintain the plumbing inside and outside your home.

Older homes may have lead service lines or interior plumbing, which can contain lead. Replacing older brass faucets or valves can be a simple way to reduce lead exposure.

To determine if your water service line is made of lead, you can follow these steps:

Having a lead service line doesn't necessarily mean your water has high levels of lead. Corrosion control treatment has been effective in keeping lead levels below the EPA standard of 15 parts per billion.

If you notice a drop in water pressure, it's a good idea to flush each faucet and shower in your home to see if that resolves the issue.

Flushing water until it starts to get hot and runs clear with no discoloration can help identify the problem.

Contact your water utility for more recommendations and to report the decrease in water pressure.

If your water pressure drops, it's likely due to a buildup in your pipes, which can be resolved by flushing the system.

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If you notice brown or yellow cold water coming out of your tap, don't panic - it's usually just a minor issue with the water main.

The discoloration is often caused by dissolved iron, which is stirred up in naturally-occurring sediments that exist in all water systems. This can happen due to flow reversals in the water mains, such as during planned cleaning of the water main to remove pipeline sediments in your area.

A nearby water hydrant may have been knocked over due to a vehicle collision or may be in use to fight a fire, which can also cause discolored water. Alternatively, pipeline repair work or construction activity in the area may have closed some valves, leading to the discoloration.

The different colors can be attributed to varying chemical oxidation states of the iron (or rust) and by varying concentrations of the rust in the water.

Despite its appearance, the water is still safe for household use, including cooking and drinking, as a disinfectant residual is maintained at all times. However, for aesthetic reasons, you should avoid doing laundry until the water clears up.

Here are some possible causes of brown or yellow cold water:

Black particles in your water can be a real nuisance. They can come from three common sources: a broken water filter, a degrading faucet washer or gasket, or a disintegrating black rubber flexible supply line hose.

If the particles are very hard, similar in size and shape, and look like large coffee grounds, they're probably granular activated carbon (GAC) particles from the inside of a GAC water filter. Replace the filter cartridge or consult with the manufacturer or the vendor who sold it to you.

Faucet washers and gaskets can also be the culprit, especially if the particles are solid but rubbery in texture. If this is the case, the particles would likely only be present at one faucet and that faucet is already leaking. Replace the faucet washers and the packing at the ends of the supply lines.

Black rubber hoses are another common source of particles, and they're often covered with a braided stainless steel mesh. Over time, the chloramine in the water causes the rubber to break down, resulting in small black particles that can be easily smeared between two fingers. Replace the hose, ideally with a liner that is identified as chemical or chloramine resistant.

Here are some key differences to look out for when identifying the source of the particles:

White residue can be a real nuisance in your home. It's usually a sign of calcium and magnesium carbonates, naturally occurring minerals that don't pose a health hazard.

These minerals can come from your water pipes, which can corrode over time, releasing the minerals into the water. If you have galvanized iron pipes, they're particularly prone to corrosion.

You might notice white residue on your fixtures, white surfaces, and even pots after water evaporates. This is because the minerals in the water are left behind as the water dries.

The good news is that these deposits can be dissolved with white vinegar. This is a simple and effective way to remove the residue without damaging your surfaces.

If you're experiencing white residue in your dishwasher, there are a few things you can try. Using a commercial conditioner can help minimize the deposits, and switching to liquid detergents can also make a difference.

Additionally, using the air-dry setting on your dishwasher instead of the power-dry setting can help prevent the carbonates from baking onto your glassware.

Here are some tips for removing white residue from different surfaces:

If you've noticed an unpleasant odor coming from your tap water, it's essential to determine if the problem lies within the public water supply or your plumbing.

The first step is to check if the odor is persistent across all faucets. If it is, the source is likely in the public water supply.

However, if the odor only appears in one or several faucets, it's probably caused by a problem in your plumbing.

One way to test this is to run the cold water tap for 20 to 30 seconds to see if the odor goes away. If it does, the problem is likely in your plumbing.

To confirm, try a glass test at the faucet where you detect the odor. Here's how: Run the cold water tap for 20 to 30 secondsGet a clean glassFill the glass and turn off the faucetStep away from the sink to eliminate any confusion with drain odorsSmell the water in the glass and characterize the odor, if any

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