Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all,
Vanilla are planning an update to the site on April 24th (next Wednesday). It is a major PHP8 update which is expected to boost performance across the site. The site will be down from 7pm and it is expected to take about an hour to complete. We appreciate your patience during the update.
Thanks all.

Lead in water

  • 05-05-2015 11:38am
    #1
    Winnie21
    Closed Accounts Posts: 77 ✭✭


    Hi all,

    So it has emerged that in some places the water lead level is significantly higher than legal limits and this can have an adverse effect on health etc.

    My question is - how do you know if this affects you? Does it depend on how old the house is? My house is a new build (one year old) and really want to know if I could be affected. Would appreciate any info on this.

    (mod if this is in the wrong place apologies, please move as appropriate)


Comments

  • #2
    Dizzyblonde
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Politics Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,108 CMod ✭✭✭✭Dizzyblonde


    This seems more suited to the Environmental Science forum.

    Moved from Dublin County North.


  • #3
    The_Captain
    Registered Users Posts: 1,376 ✭✭✭The_Captain


    The water leaving plants won't have high limits of lead, the plants will usually cut off supply than send out water over the PCV limits.

    New houses are a lot less likely to have lead in the pipes, it's usually older systems where pipes may have rusted or degraded that would have higher lead levels.

    If you are concerned about the levels of metals in the water, you can always take a sample from your tap and have it tested independently. There's a lot of places that could carry out this testing for you


  • #4
    Dardania
    Registered Users Posts: 3,612 ✭✭✭Dardania


    The_Captain wrote: »
    The water leaving plants won't have high limits of lead, the plants will usually cut off supply than send out water over the PCV limits.

    New houses are a lot less likely to have lead in the pipes, it's usually older systems where pipes may have rusted or degraded that would have higher lead levels.

    If you are concerned about the levels of metals in the water, you can always take a sample from your tap and have it tested independently. There's a lot of places that could carry out this testing for you

    Can you PM some of those. Found what looks like a lead pipe coming in off the front street in my house (and then switching to copper for onward distribution, under the stairs)

    Bit worried if I'm honest...


  • #5
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 19,359 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    Houses built after 1980 will not have any lead pipes. If the house has been re-plumbed, then it will be done in copper or plastic. Residual pipes will be left as lead - such as the pipe from the road stop-cock to the household stop-cock.

    This should not be a problem since the volume of water in the pipe is very small - less than a litre. If you are worried about it, then flush the toilet first thing - which is what you probably do already. If that loo is not attached to the mains directly, you will have to wait for the tank to refill.

    Lead pipes in the house should be replaced anyway and probably have been in most cases. I am not sure how many plumbers can do a wiped joint these days.


  • #6
    OssianSmyth
    Closed Accounts Posts: 267 ✭✭OssianSmyth


    You can get your water supply tested for lead by the public analyst's laboratory in Dublin for €10

    I've published the steps to get this done here:
    http://www.ossiansmyth.ie/how-to-get-your-water-tested-for-lead-in-dublin/


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    Nalz
    Registered Users Posts: 16,727 ✭✭✭✭Nalz


    Sorry to resurrect an old thread

    We haven't got any contact from Uisce until now regarding water bills etc until now... however 2 months ago we got a letter pushed through the letterbox stating the houses on our road have a gigantic level of lead. It was from our Residence committee in Milltown (I can't find any details to contact them online)

    Is this something we can go back to Uisce with, and how big of a concern is it? Our house is rented and quite old.

    Thanks


  • #8
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 19,359 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    Get the water tested at the public analyst as a start. Ask them how you sample - first thing, mid flow, last thing etc. You must be guided by them to get a meaningful result. Your neighbour may have an agenda, not backed by test results.

    Secondly, flush the toilet first thing in the morning to purge the water from the mains to the house. Lead levels are higher after overnight sitting in the lead pipe. Public supply is generally free of lead.

    Having flushed the loo, run the kitchen tap for a few seconds to purge that pipe from the rising main. A few seconds will probably be enough as you are talking about a few litres. Water consumed in a household is usually obtained from the kitchen tap.

    Most of the water you use in the house apart from the kitchen tap is not consumed - unless you drink your bath water - so do not worry.


Advertisement