Water quality and your health
Lead IRWD has no lead pipes nor galvanized service lines in its water-distribution system. That good news was confirmed in a comprehensive 2024 inventory of the District’s water lines. See the complete results at IRWD.com/nonlead . Lead can cause serious health effects in people of all ages, especially pregnant people, infants (formula- fed and breastfed) and young children. While the District’s service lines are lead-free, lead in drinking water is primarily from materials in home plumbing. IRWD is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water and removing any lead pipes in its distribution system but cannot control materials in home plumbing. Because lead levels may vary over time, lead exposure is possible even when sampling results do not detect lead at one point in time. You can help protect yourself and your family by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family’s risk. Using a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead is effective in reducing lead exposures. Follow the instructions provided with the filter to ensure the filter is used properly. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby formula.
Boiling water does not remove lead from water. Before using tap water for drinking, cooking or making baby formula, flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower or doing laundry or dishes. If you have a lead service line or galvanized requiring replacement service line, you may need to flush your pipes for a longer period. Contact info@IRWD.com if you are concerned about lead in water and have questions. Find information on testing methods and steps to minimize exposure at epa.gov/safewater/lead . Nitrates The drinking water IRWD supplies to its customers is below the maximum allowable levels for nitrates. Nitrates in drinking water at levels above 10 mg/L is a health risk for infants less than 6 months of age. Such nitrate levels in drinking water can interfere with the capacity of infants’ blood to carry oxygen, resulting in a serious illness; symptoms include shortness of breath and blueness of skin. Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L may affect the ability of blood to carry oxygen in other individuals, such as pregnant women and those with certain specific enzyme deficiencies. If you are caring for an infant or are pregnant, ask advice from a health care provider.
IRWD Water Quality Report 2026 | Page 9
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