4. Working Together to Keep Lead out of our Drinking Water

SUB has tested its source water and water from its distribution system for lead. No lead has been detected in water delivered to SUB customers. That means the water coming into your home meets the most rigorous standards.

Lead and copper sampling at high-risk residential water taps

SUB samples the taps of homes considered high-risk for lead and copper based on the age of the home. Per state requirements, we sample once every three years. Our last samples were taken in 2024. The results are summarized in the table below.

T AL for copper is exceeded if 10% or more of homes test above 1.35 ppm

❖ AL for lead is exceeded if 10% or more of homes test above 15 ppb

For a key to abbreviations and terminology used in this table and testing notes, see page 8

How can lead get into drinking water?

Some older homes may have plumbing fixtures that contain lead and that can leach into drinking water. In particular, homes built before 1986 may have copper pipes with lead solder. When water stands for several hours in plumbing systems that contain lead, the lead can dissolve into drinking water. SUB helps proactively prevent this by optimizing the pH of the drinking water we deliver to help prevent lead from leaching out of older household plumbing fixtures.

What are the health effects of lead?

Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. SUB is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home. You share the responsibility for protecting yourself and your family from the lead in your home plumbing. You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family’s risk. Before drinking tap water, flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. You can also use a filter certified
by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead in drinking water. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, visit subutil.com/water/. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead

What can homeowners do to reduce possible exposure?

• Run water from your tap before using it. If water hasn’t been used for many hours, flush the cold tap for at least 30 seconds or until the water runs colder.

• Use only cold water for cooking, drinking and preparing baby formula. Lead from plumbing fixtures dissolves more easily into hot water.

• Regularly clean your faucet aerators. Lead particles can become trapped there.

• Consider buying low-lead faucets. As of January 2014, all pipes, fittings and fixtures are required to contain less than 0.25% lead.

• Consider investing in a water filter. Before buying, confirm the filter reduces lead – not all do. And remember that contaminants can collect in filters if not properly maintained, so follow your filter’s instructions carefully.

See SUB’s website at subutil.com/water for more information. SUB has a new online tool that provides public access to the results of SUB’s water service line inventory. Most importantly, the results showed there were no lead service lines found. The absence of lead service lines in SUB’s service area is yet another reason for SUB’s high-quality drinking water. The public can access this tool to determine the type of service line materials that are installed at a specific location. More information about the methodology SUB used to complete the service line inventory is also available.