Right around the time we announced our pregnancy, several friends and family members shared that they were expecting too. People joked that there must be something in the water. After that joke repeated itself, I started wondering: what actually is in our tap water? I happened to catch the end of a Dr. Oz segment about lead in drinking water. When he warned that pregnant and nursing women should be careful in older homes—since lead is a dangerous neurotoxin for developing babies—I nearly spit out the water I was drinking. It was time to find out what was really in our water.
During a bathroom renovation we had already considered the possibility of lead paint (we took several safety precautions), and we even tested a thrift-store chair before using it in the nursery. But it hadn’t occurred to me that our home’s original plumbing might affect the water we drink every day.
Luckily, the EPA explains that the age of a home matters: older houses with plumbing installed before 1930 are more likely to have lead pipes, and copper plumbing installed before 1988 may contain lead solder. Today, lead pipes and materials are prohibited in plumbing that supplies drinking water. That information was reassuring since our house was built in the 1950s and has galvanized steel pipes rather than lead or older copper.
Even so, pipes are only part of the story. Lead and other contaminants can appear in trace amounts at the municipal level. Dr. Oz recommended calling your local water authority to request the annual water quality report. I immediately called our state lab and later spoke with a staff member who helped me interpret the technical results. If you decide to request your report, be prepared to be transferred a few times before you reach the right person—it’s worth the persistence.
When my official water analysis arrived it was dense with technical terms and symbols. Calling the number on the report and asking someone to explain the findings made a big difference. In our case, the county water met or exceeded all EPA guidelines. While trace amounts of various contaminants can be detected, they were well below levels considered dangerous. The lab representative explained that some readings are reported as ranges like “less than 0.002 PPM,” which indicates a minute amount or possibly zero.
We had already installed an under-sink water filter that reduces sediments, chlorine taste, and odors, much like a pitcher filter. Ours is certified to NSF and ANSI standards and is free of phthalates and other leaching hazards. Between having relatively modern plumbing, living in a county with water that meets safety standards, and using a certified filter, we felt more comfortable about the water we drink.
If you suspect your tap water might be contaminated, there are practical steps you can take. Home improvement stores sell test kits for lead and other contaminants. Installing a filtration system can further reduce unwanted substances. And you can request your local water quality report; if the results are concerning, contact local officials and consider organizing neighbors to demand corrective action. Keep in mind that while authorities are required to inform you about what’s in the water, remediation timelines can be slow due to budget and procedural constraints—community engagement can speed things up.
Independent organizations have also compiled water quality data. For example, environmental groups maintain databases that compare municipal water results and evaluate how often suppliers meet EPA standards. These resources show that local water suppliers generally meet mandatory standards most of the time, but many experts believe standards should be stricter to better protect young children and pregnant women.
Here are a few practical rules of thumb to protect your family from potential contaminants:
- Flush your pipes before use. If the taps haven’t been used for several hours or days, run the cold water until it reaches its lowest temperature before using it for drinking or cooking.
- Use only cold water for drinking and cooking—hot water can dissolve more lead and other metals from plumbing.
- Inspect your plumbing. Lead pipes and solder are a dull gray; when scratched, they appear shiny underneath.
- Test your water using a recognized lead detection kit that sends samples to an accredited laboratory. If lead is detected, identify the source and remove it when possible.
We don’t love wasting water when flushing pipes, so when we need to run taps for a while we collect the water in a large basin and reuse it for watering plants, washing the car, or cleaning around the house.
After digging into what’s in our water, I feel more informed and more confident about the steps we’ve taken. Nursing makes me drink plenty of water, so I’m glad to know what’s in my glass. If you haven’t checked your water recently, consider requesting your annual report, testing at home, or upgrading your filtration—small steps can make a big difference.
What do you do to keep your water as pure as possible? Do you use filters, test regularly, or review your water quality report? Share your tips.