If you want to understand what to record before seeking treatment advice
When you suspect lead in your household water, start by gathering key information to help clarify the situation. Government data for the Artesian Water Company, which serves Bear and Hockessin in New Castle County, Delaware, shows a lead 90th percentile level of 0.001 mg/L as of the last EPA sampling. This measure considers lead levels in household plumbing across the system, not the original surface water source. Since lead presence often depends on plumbing materials and conditions within a home, your own water’s lead content can differ significantly from the system-wide statistic.
Before asking about solutions, note the date and location of your last water test, if any. If you have not tested your own water, obtaining a certified water test focused on lead is essential. Knowing your household water usage patterns and plumbing attributes, such as pipe age or the presence of lead service lines, will also be valuable. This preparation ensures any advice or equipment is well-matched to your actual water conditions.
If your household is large, a secondary home, or a seasonal property
Water quality considerations can vary when your household size or usage pattern differs from standard assumptions. Larger homes may have more complex plumbing, increasing the chance of lead leaching from pipes or fittings over time, especially if water sits in pipes for extended periods.
Secondary residences or seasonal properties may face additional fluctuations in water chemistry or stagnation, possibly affecting lead levels. Periods of inactivity can allow more lead to dissolve into water when usage resumes. It is important for such households to consider regular water testing timed around occupancy and flow patterns.
If you want to understand what 'detected', 'median', and 'range' in the sampling record mean for your area
The EPA’s 90th percentile measure for lead in the Artesian Water Company system is a plumbing-distribution statistic, reflecting samples from various homes. “Detected” means the instrument found some lead in these samples, not that the water violated any health standard or is unsafe. The 90th percentile value indicates that 90% of sampled sites had lead at or below 0.001 mg/L, a low level consistent with compliance.
This number does not represent a maximum or source-water level but a reflection of typical residential plumbing effects. Median and range values, if available, describe the middle and spread of sample results but are also about distribution sampling, not your specific tap. Testing your own water remains the only way to know your household’s lead levels precisely.
If you want to know how water changes after the documented technology is in place
The C-Series Lead in Water Filter system is designed to reduce lead content at the tap, addressing lead already introduced through plumbing materials. Once configured for use, it works by filtering incoming water to trap and remove lead particles, improving water quality where lead presence is a concern.
Because lead contamination often originates inside the home’s own plumbing, a filtration system targeting lead can provide an additional protective layer beyond municipal treatment. This filter ships ready to configure with your household plumbing setup and can be a critical step for households seeking to manage lead exposure in their tap water.
If you want to understand how plumbing impacts your household’s lead levels apart from the source water
Lead rarely enters water directly from surface water supplies, especially treated systems such as Artesian Water Company’s. Instead, lead in household water usually results from corrosion or wear of plumbing materials containing lead.
Homes built before the 1980s or featuring older lead piping, solder, or fixtures may experience higher lead presence in tap water. Water chemistry, flow rate, and stagnation time also influence how much lead might dissolve into water. Being aware of your plumbing’s age and materials can help clarify possible sources of lead distinct from municipal water quality.
If you want to know what you should NOT conclude from area data alone
The EPA record for Artesian Water Company shows no health-based violations specifically related to lead at the system level, although other issues have occurred. The lead 90th percentile at 0.001 mg/L reflects a low lead level overall but does not guarantee your household water contains the same concentration.
Because the data represent distribution sampling and not source water testing, you cannot assume your household water is safe or unsafe solely based on these figures. To accurately assess your home's water, only a direct, certified test analyzing your tap water will provide reliable results for lead content.
Choosing a water treatment option should follow testing and consideration of your household’s specific water profile. The C-Series Lead in Water Filter can be a useful component of managing lead risk once you understand your own water's condition.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2026-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA SDWIS record for ARTESIAN WATER COMPANY (DE0000552), surface water supply, serving 231114 people: 4 health-based violations of 7 total; lead 90th percentile 0.001 mg/L