What Area-Wide Lead Data Can and Cannot Tell You About Your Household Water
Data collected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from the Des Moines Water Works system shows a 90th percentile lead measurement of 0 mg/L as of December 31, 2024. This value represents the lead concentration found in the 90th percentile of sampled taps across the public water system distribution and plumbing—not the source water itself. It reflects a snapshot of plumbing-related lead presence at a community scale, but it does not specify conditions in your individual home’s tap water.
Since lead levels can vary significantly depending on your home’s plumbing materials and water use patterns, the system-wide data cannot establish your household’s lead concentration. Determining your home's lead level requires testing your actual tap water following EPA-approved sampling procedures.
How the Documented Treatment Technology Removes Lead from Household Water
The C-Series Lead in Water Filter uses a filtration technology designed to reduce lead in water at the point of use. It employs materials specifically selected to adsorb lead ions, preventing them from passing through to your drinking water. This method can effectively lower lead concentrations arising from household plumbing leaching or residual presence despite municipal treatment.
Differentiating Lead Concerns from Similar Water Issues
Lead concerns are often confused with other water problems like iron staining or hardness, but these are distinct issues. Lead is a heavy metal with specific health implications and comes primarily from plumbing materials rather than natural water sources. Iron or hardness affect taste, staining, and scaling, but do not carry the same toxicological risks as lead. Understanding this distinction is important when selecting treatment options.
Information to Gather Before Seeking Treatment Options
Before pursuing filtration or other water treatment solutions, record details such as your home’s age, plumbing materials (for example, whether lead pipes or lead solder were used), and any previous water testing results. Also note water use habits like how often you flush taps before use. This information helps to assess potential lead exposure risk and guides appropriate treatment choices tailored to your situation.
What Changes to Expect at the Tap After Using the Treatment Technology
After configuring the C-Series system, you can expect your tap water to have reduced lead levels, improving safety and peace of mind. The filtration process does not significantly alter water taste or odor, and it does not remove beneficial minerals. Properly maintained, it provides consistent lead reduction for everyday household water use.
Interpreting the Des Moines Water Works Lead Measurement as a Homeowner
The reported 90th percentile lead level of 0 mg/L indicates that 90% of sampled points had lead concentrations at or below zero at the time of testing within the public water system. For residents, this means that lead presence in sampled homes’ taps was very low or undetectable generally. However, this does not guarantee that your home’s water is free from lead, especially if your plumbing contains lead materials or your water use differs.
Understanding What the Measured Lead Level Indicates and What It Does Not
This data point is not a federal violation, as it does not exceed health-based EPA limits. It does not mean lead is absent everywhere, only that the system’s sampling found low levels in most cases. It also does not assess lead from private wells or household plumbing specifically. Therefore, personal water testing remains essential for an accurate assessment of your home’s lead status.
To address possible lead concerns in your household water, consider the C-Series Lead in Water Filter. It ships ready to configure and is built to reduce lead effectively at the tap, based on the lead presence you identify in your own testing results.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2024-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA SDWIS record for DES MOINES WATER WORKS (IA7727031), surface water supply, serving 246055 people: 1 health-based violations of 3 total; lead 90th percentile 0 mg/L