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Lead & Copper

Lead and copper in service lines and household plumbing are the primary drinking water corrosion compounds of concern. Lead is a toxic metal that can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels. Lead is persistent and can bioaccumulate in the body over time. Young children are particularly vulnerable to lead because the physical and behavioral effects of lead occur at lower exposure levels in children than in adults. A dose of lead that would have little effect on an adult can have a significant effect on a child. People who drink water containing copper in excess of 1.3 mg/L may experience short-term nausea, while long-term exposure can affect the liver and kidneys.

Lead is rarely found in source water and usually enters drinking water through corrosion of household plumbing. Lead at the tap can come from a variety of sources, including lead service lines, lead piping inside the home, lead-based solder, and brass components. The concentrations of lead and copper in water are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule.

Topic Overview (PDF)
21 Projects 1 Web Tool 1 Case Study 13 Webcasts
Water Quality
Corrosion
Pipes
Distribution System Management
Project #4686

Processes Controlling the Development of Effective Lead Corrosion Control with Orthophosphate

$74,881
Completed

Project Highlights

This project provides new scientific insights into the addition of orthophosphate for corrosion control that will enable efficient application of phosphate to control both dissolved and total lead concentrations in water. Laboratory-scale experiments were performed for two scenarios to further...

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Principal Investigator
Daniel
Giammar
Research Manager
Mr. Jonathan Cuppett

Lead and Copper Corrosion: An Overview of WRF Research

WRF has funded over 50 research projects related to lead and copper corrosion valued at more than $20 million. This state of the science document summarizes the objectives, general research approach, and major findings of this body of research, and offers a basic understanding of the issues surrounding distribution system corrosion and the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR).

 

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Recent Updates

Project #4693
Service Line Material Identification Techniques

The objective of this project is to evaluate technologies and develop a prototype capable of identifying...

Project Update
07/10/2019
Project #4693
Service Line Material Identification Techniques

The objectives of this project are to evaluate technologies and to develop a prototype capable of...

Project Update
07/10/2019
Project #4713
Full Lead Service Line Replacement Guidance

Tasks proposed to be completed in the upcoming period include coordination with participating utilities to collect...

Project Update
07/31/2019
Project #5015
Solutions for Failing Drinking Water Systems in ...

During this project period, a March 2019 site visit to systems in Fresno was conducted, a...

Project Update
10/31/2019
Project #4983
Evaluating Legionella Detection Rates and Occurrence by...

The goals of this project are to examine Legionella occurrence and concentration throughout a public water...

Project Update
07/26/2019
Project #4983
Evaluating Legionella Detection Rates and Occurrence by...

Reporting Period: May 1, 2019 - October 31, 2019. The team developed molecular methods, including conducting...

Project Update
12/27/2019
Project #4902
Leveraging Big-Data and Deep Learning for the Condition Assessment of...

During this project period, the automated system was extended to detect fractures (i.e., structural defects that...

Project Update
11/07/2019
Project #4920
Decision Support Framework for Drinking Water Treatment Plants...

During this reporting period, the research team continued to refine the Decision Support Framework (DSF) conceptual...

Project Update
09/25/2019
Project #4911
Sampling and Monitoring Strategies for Opportunistic Pathogens...

During this project period, the research team:


  • Conducted two literature surveys

  • Selected detection techniques for evaluation...
Project Update
09/19/2019
Project #4746
Identification of Optimal Water Quality Management Practices for Golf...

Project Objective


To identify the water management strategies that have the most significant and sustained effect...

Project Update
09/13/2019

News

Lead and Copper Management

06/06/2019

Water utilities play a critical role in protecting public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water. Household plumbing and service lines can contain lead and copper pipes...

LG Sonic

Technology Spotlight
Tristen Gunther
02/14/2020

What is your technology? MPC-Buoy controls algae in large water surfaces by using real-time water quality monitoring and remote sensing to analyze current algae and to predict algal blooms. The...

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Resources

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Related Projects

Project #157

Distribution System Water Quality Changes Following Corrosion Control Strategies

Completed

Evaluates the impact of plant-scale implementation of corrosion control for lead and copper on water quality in the distribution system (e.g., red water, turbidity, biological growth). Reports on...

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Project #4686

Processes Controlling the Development of Effective Lead Corrosion Control with Orthophosphate

Completed

This project provides new scientific insights into the addition of orthophosphate for corrosion control that will enable efficient application of phosphate to control both dissolved and total lead...

View more details
Project #4698

Evaluation of Lead Pipe Detection by Electrical Resistance Measurement

Completed

Precision electrical resistance has been identified as a testing method that could be used to determine the composition (lead or copper) of underground water service lines, but other...

View more details
Project #4693

Service Line Material Identification Techniques

In Progress

This project will review and assess water service line material type technologies and related procedures and approaches, specifically targeting the identification of lead service pipes running from the...

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Project #5032

Analysis of Corrosion Control Treatment for Lead and Copper Control

In Progress

The objective of this project is to create a guidance document based on science and utility experience for state regulators and water systems recommending when and how to...

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Project #4910

Evaluating Key Factors that Affect the Accumulation and Release of Lead from Galvanized Pipes

In Progress

This project will develop cutting edge tools that will evaluate links between galvanized iron pipe (GIP) and lead (Pb) release, by (1) scientifically assessing customers’ concerns related to...

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Related Topics

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Distribution System Management

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Water Quality

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