Pentair Lead in Water Filter

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The most recent government sampling for Veolia Water Delaware's public water system serving New Castle and Wilmington shows a 90th percentile lead concentration of 0.002 mg/L in 2023. This measure reflects lead levels found in water distributed through the system's plumbing to sampled points, not the source water itself, and is not a health-based violation.

If you compare New Castle's lead data with neighboring counties

It is common to look at regional lead sampling results to understand how one area's water quality measures up. New Castle's 90th percentile lead reading aligns with or is lower than many nearby counties using surface water sources and similar treatment methods. However, such comparisons don't reveal individual household conditions because plumbing materials and maintenance can vary greatly from one home to another.

If you consider the impact of plumbing materials and plumbing age apart from source water

Lead presence in tap water often originates from household plumbing components like older pipes, fixtures, and solder rather than from the original water source. Surface water treated and distributed by the system undergoes processes intended to minimize corrosion and lead leaching. Homes built before lead plumbing restrictions may have internal sources for lead that are not reflected in public system sampling averages.

If you want to know which fixtures or appliances might first show lead presence

Lead leaching tends to affect drinking water taps, kitchen faucets, and appliances that use or store water, such as ice makers or water dispensers, especially if water sits in pipes overnight or after long periods of inactivity. Showers and outdoor taps are less commonly affected but testing these fixtures can help identify localized plumbing lead sources.

If you are preparing to seek advice or treatment recommendations

• Write down the date and type of any recent plumbing work or upgrades in your home.
• Note the age of your home and if you know your plumbing includes lead-containing materials.
• Identify which fixtures you use most for drinking and cooking water.
• Record any changes in taste, color, or odors in your water that have been noticed.

If you plan to order a certified laboratory lead test for your household water

A certified laboratory test reports lead concentration in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per billion (ppb). It will specify the sample point, the date collected, and the method used. Understanding whether the sample was first draw (water standing overnight in pipes) or flushed can clarify if plumbing leaches lead into your tap water. The test result will tell you your specific water lead level but does not alone determine health risk, which depends on exposure duration and amount.

If you want to rule out potential sources of lead step by step, from least to most expensive

• Start by flushing taps for several minutes to see if water quality improves.
• Use only cold water for drinking and cooking, since hot water can absorb more lead.
• Test water from different fixtures you rely on for drinking water.
• Order a certified lab test on a first-draw sample from your main drinking water tap.

To definitively know your home's lead level, order a certified laboratory test on your household tap water, specifying a first-draw sample after at least six hours of stagnation. A low reading from this test means lead levels are unlikely to need treatment; a higher reading is the signal to consider options like the Pentair Lead in Water Filter, which ships ready to configure and is designed to reduce lead exposure in your drinking water.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2023-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA SDWIS record for VEOLIA WATER DELAWARE, INC (DE0000564), surface water supply, serving 100495 people: 0 health-based violations of 1 total; lead 90th percentile 0.002 mg/L