Most drinking water sources in Utah come from sources such as reservoirs and groundwater, which are lead-free. Lead can enter drinking water as it passes through service lines – the pipes connecting homes, schools, or other buildings to the water main. Lead levels in your water are likely due to lead pipes, pipes connected with lead solder, brass faucets, or fittings containing lead inside homes or schools. Lead levels are the highest when the water has been sitting in lead pipes for several hours. Lead can also be found in lead-based paints in houses built before 1978. When the lead-based paint peels and cracks, it makes lead paint chips and dust. In order to reduce exposure to lead in your household, be sure to regularly clean any surfaces that may be rubbing against lead-based painted areas. Children can be exposed to lead by ingesting lead-contaminated soil particles, especially in urban areas and homes built before 1978.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations require water systems, like SLCDPU, to control the corrosivity of the water by collecting tap samples from sites served by the system that are likely to have plumbing materials containing lead. If more than 10 percent of tap water samples exceed the lead action level of 15 parts per billion, the water service is required to take additional actions, including: Taking further steps to optimize their corrosion control treatment. Educating the public about lead in drinking water and what actions consumers can take to reduce their exposure. Replacing the portions of lead service lines–the pipes connecting homes, schools, or other buildings to the water main–under the water system's control.

Follow this link for step-by-step instructions to see if your home has lead pipes. Or, you can download this guide to help you identify your service lines at home.

Learn more about the water coming into your home by contacting your water utility service to receive the most recent annual water quality report. Identify the year your home was built using the SLC Parcel Assessor. You can test your pipes and/or solder at home by purchasing a lead swab test to later send it to a local certified laboratory. The EPA developed a guide about actions customers can take to reduce lead in drinking water.