Reducing your exposure to lead in tap water

Run cold water from your faucets

Flushing your plumbing is an effective way to get rid of the water that has been sitting  in your pipes for six hours or more, such as first thing in the morning, after work or upon returning from vacation. Whether or not lead is an issue in your home, flushing your pipes after the water has been standing for several hours is a good practice to improve the water quality in general. 

Let the water run for two to five minutes from every cold water to used for drinking or cooking. This brings fresh water from the main into your home. Even if you do not have a lead service line, plumbing fixtures like faucets, valves and solder can contain small amounts of lead. Flushing still helps reduce lead exposure.

There are ways to flush lines and conserve water. Showering, washing clothes, flushing the toilet and running the dishwasher are effective methods for allowing fresh water from the distribution system to enter household pipes.

Never use water from the hot water tap for cooking or mixing baby formula

Hot water causes higher amounts of lead to be released from plumbing materials. Also, hot water heaters are sources of bacteria and other metals.

Remove and clean faucet aerators

Sediment and lead particles can be trapped by the screen on the end of faucets. Regularly remove and clean these.

Replace lead service lines

If your portion of the service line is lead, replace it.

Fort Worth is working to get rid of all its lead service lines. The goal is to replace the publicly-owned portion of all lead service lines by the end of 2021. When the city’s replacement is non-emergency, you will be contacted to determine if you would like to replace your privately-owned portion at the same time. If you plan to replace yours, Fort Worth Water will work with you to replace our portion at the same time.

Replace all lead plumbing components

Homes and businesses without lead service lines could still have other plumbing fixtures that contain lead, such as lead piping, brass or chrome-plated brass faucets, galvanized iron pipes or other plumbing soldered with lead.

When purchasing replacement plumbing products, make sure the products have been tested and certified to “lead-free” standards. Look for plumbing products that are certified as compliant with Standard NSF/ANSI 61 and/or 372. These products are certified to meet the lead-free requirement.

Use a water filter

Fort Worth does not endorse water filters, but there are home "point-of-use" filters certified for lead removal. It is important that the model you select is certified by an independent testing organization to reduce or eliminate lead (NSF/ANSI standard 53 for lead removal and NSF/ANSI standard 42 for particulate removal).

If you use a home treatment device, make sure it is properly maintained. Failure to replace filters at the intervals specified by the manufacture can result in water contamination. This applies to filters used on water dispensers in refrigerators and ice makers.

Drain your water heater annually

Metals, sediment and bacteria can build up over time in your water heater. A licensed plumber can drain it for anyone uncomfortable doing it themselves.