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An Expert Talks About How to Protect Your Family from Lead

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Deborah Stapel

Senior Marketing Manager, Pentair

What measures can we take to help ensure our household is protected from lead and other contaminants in our water? 

The Environmental Protection Agency gives the following suggestions to reduce the risk:

  • Only use cold water for cooking and drinking, it is likely to contain lower levels of lead.
  • Clean faucets and aerators about once a month to remove build up because it may contain lead particles.
  • Flush your plumbing, run the water until it becomes cold (about 2-3 minutes) this will remove water that has been sitting and has had longer contact with lead.
  • Use a drinking water filter certified to reduce lead.

I have done all these steps but still want to make sure I am protected. What are measures I can take as a last line of defense to help ensure quality water in my home?

Ultimately, you should get your water tested by a water treatment professional or state approved lab. They can check for any potential health concerns and a variety of contaminants. Once you have been educated on what is in your water, you can make an informed decision with your water treatment professional on what filtration solution will best meet your family’s needs.

Water filtration or water problems can often feel overwhelming and people don’t always know where to look for credible answers and help. There is an entire industry of water treatment professionals that can help solve water issues and looking on the Water Quality Association’s website is a good starting place to find a certified installer. We often hear, “my water is okay.” We want people to know their water can be great. People don’t need to settle for “okay” or be unsure about the quality of their water.  There are great products that can help protect your drinking water and make it taste great. Water treatment professionals can share a wealth of knowledge with homeowners about the water quality issues in their area and the importance of protecting their drinking water with the right filtration or treatment systems.

You should look for products that are NSF certified to reduce contaminates such as lead. This proves the product has been tested by one of the most respected independent certification systems. Once your system has been installed, it is important to replace the filter about once or twice a year, depending on water consumption and incoming water quality. This will keep your system running properly to ensure reduced contaminates with every use.

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