Lead in Household Plumbing

Important information about lead in household plumbing and your drinking water

During a recent study of our water system and customer side plumbing in the meter box, the City of Washougal found that there are no lead service lines or galvanized service lines in need of replacement.

Some homes or buildings with certain types of plumbing may have elevated lead in their water. In the early 2000’s, we made treatment improvements to reduce the potential for elevated levels of lead in drinking water. This treatment works by increasing the pH of our water.

The City of Washougal has historically found slightly elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes/buildings, typically in the older areas of town (pre-1985). Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Please read this information closely to see what you can do to reduce lead in your drinking water.

Health effects of lead. Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones, and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development.

Sources of Lead

Lead is commonly found in a variety of places throughout our environment. While lead is rarely found in our source waters and there are no known lead service lines up to the meter, lead can be found in some homes.

In Washougal, lead enters drinking water from the corrosion (wearing away) of household plumbing materials that contain lead. These materials include lead-based solder used to join copper pipe - commonly used in homes built or plumbed between 1970 and 1985 - and brass components and faucets. Because Washougal’s water is naturally semi-corrosive, lead in household plumbing can dissolve into drinking water when water sits in those pipes for several hours – such as overnight or while people are away at work or school.

In Washougal, the most common sources of very high lead exposure are lead-based paint, household dust, soil, and plumbing materials. Lead can also be found in other household objects such as toys, cosmetics, and pottery.

Home Plumbing Can Add Lead to Your Drinking Water Infographic


Easy steps for reducing lead exposure from drinking water.

  • Run your water to flush the lead out. If the water has not been used for several hours, run each tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes or until it becomes colder before drinking or cooking. Running your tap flushes water that may contain lead from your pipes. Running your water like this can reduce lead-in-water levels up to 90 percent.
  • Use cold, fresh water for cooking and for preparing baby formula. Lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Do not use water from the hot water tap for cooking, drinking, or to make baby formula.
  • Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
  • Test your water for lead. Contact our office for a test kit.
  • Test your child for lead. Ask your doctor to find out how to have your child tested for lead. A blood lead level test is the only way to know if your child is being exposed to lead.
  • Consider using a filter. Check whether it reduces lead – not all filters do. To protect water quality, maintain and replace filter devices in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Regularly clean your faucet aerator. Particles containing lead from solder or household plumbing can become trapped in your faucet aerator. Regular cleaning or replacement every few months will remove these particles and reduce your exposure to lead.
  • Consider buying low-lead fixtures. As of 2014, all pipes, fittings, and fixtures are required to contain less than 0.25 percent lead. When buying new fixtures, look for ones with the lowest lead content.

Lead testing

Annually, the City of Washougal collects water samples from a group of 30 homes that may have lead solder. Because these results recently exceeded the action level for lead in drinking water, we took steps to reduce levels of lead and educate the public about lead in drinking water.

For more information, call the Water Division at 360-835-2662. For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit the EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/lead or contact your health care provider.

How can lead get into my domestic water systems?

Water-related lead exposure is linked to building plumbing and fixtures, not to lead in our source water or distribution system. Washougal’s drinking water is essentially lead-free when it flows out of our high-quality drinking water sources and travels through the water mains and distribution system in the city. Washougal is fortunate to never have used lead service lines.

Common sources of lead in home plumbing are (1) lead solder connecting copper pipes and (2) brass in plumbing components or fixtures. Water generally needs to be in contact with the source of lead for several hours for lead to be absorbed in the water. A water test is the only way for you to find out if your plumbing is adding lead to your water.

How can I test my water for lead?

We provide free lead-in-water testing to residents, childcare providers, and schools. Please contact us at 360-835-2662 for more information.