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Lead In Drinking Water FAQ

How does lead get into drinking water?

  • Treated drinking water contains no lead when it leaves Des Moines Water Works' treatment plants.
  • Lead may be present in pipes (including service lines) and plumbing fixtures found in customers’ homes. Homes constructed before 1940 in Des Moines may be served by a lead water service line. Copper pipe installed before 1985 may have been installed using lead-containing solder.
  • Use the Lead Service Line Inventory to view information about your service line. If the map indicates your line is “unknown,” please complete the self-reporting tool: Des Moines Water Works: Customer Self-Reporting Survey Note: Results will not be updated immediately.

What is Des Moines Water Works doing to control elevated lead levels?

  • Des Moines Water Works’ treatment process involves careful balance of water chemistry to ensure finished water is non-corrosive. Corrosive water can eat away at pipes causing the material of the pipe to leach into the water.  

What are the health effects of lead in drinking water?

  • Exposure to lead can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or worsen existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these negative health effects.
  • Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney, or nervous system problems.  

What can you do to limit exposure to elevated levels of lead?

  • Use only water from the cold tap for drinking, cooking, or preparing baby formula. Lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead.
  • Clean your faucet’s screen (called an aerator) to remove sediment, debris and potential lead particles that can collect and then allow lead to get into your water.
  • Flush the tap for two to four minutes before using water for drinking or cooking when no water has been used for several hours. Showering, washing dishes, or doing laundry are ways to flush household plumbing before water is used for drinking or cooking.
  • Choose a filter that is NSF-certified to remove lead. Read all instructions to properly install, maintain and use the cartridge. Replace when expired. Do not run hot water through the filter.
  • If you’re using in-home water treatment devices such as a softener or filtration system, ensure it is properly operated and maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations.  Improperly operated in-home treatment devices can increase the potential for water to become corrosive. 

Where can I find more information?

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