... more research:
2. City of Portland Bureau of Water Works - Water Flow and Pressure
Property owners are responsible for the condition of all plumbing and pipes that water flows through after it leaves the water meter at the street. Some water flow problems are temporary. Corroded galvanized pipe in homes and businesses causes 90% of the water flow problems in Portland’s homes. Do you have galvanized pipe? Pipes are often exposed near the hot water heater, under sinks, or on the property side of the water meter. Galvanized pipe is silver when new, dulling to gray as it ages. It was widely installed in Portland homes built before 1980. (see full page).
3. Wilkes University - Drinking Water Corrosion, Corrosivity, Saturation Index, and Corrosion Treatment
Corrosion is a complex series of reactions between the water and metal surfaces and materials in which the water is stored or transported. The corrosion process is an oxidation/reduction reaction that returns refined or processed metal to their more stable ore state. With respect to the corrosion potential of YOUR drinking water, the primary concerns include the potential presence of TOXIC Metals , such as lead and copper; deterioration and damage to the household plumbing, and aesthetic problem s such as: stained laundry, bitter taste, and greenish-blue stains around basins and drains.
The primary health concern is the potential for the presence of elevated levels of lead and copper in the water. The primary source of lead includes the use of lead pipes, lead lined tanks, and use of 50/50 lead/tin solder. Because of the concern with lead, the EPA banned the use of high lead solders in 1986. The primary source of copper is the leaching of copper from the household piping used to convey the water throughout the home. In some cases, the water is so corrosive that the interior plumbing system needed to be changed and completely replaced with PVC piping. To bad, they did not test the rate and install a neutralize before the piping corroded and caused leaks throughout the home (see full report).
4. Center for Disease Control - Lead and Drinking Water from Private Wells
It is estimated that lead in drinking water contributes between 10%-20% of total lead exposure in young children. Food is the greatest single source of lead exposure for the average adult. In the past few years, federal controls on lead in gasoline have significantly reduced total human exposure to lead.
Lead rarely occurs naturally in water; it usually gets into the water from the delivery system. Service connections, pipes, solder, and brass fixtures are all parts of the water delivery system that can contain lead. Reactions between the water and these parts can cause corrosion and cause the lead to get into your water.
Lead that is absorbed by the lungs and the digestive tract enters the bloodstream and travels to other parts of the body. Lead can affect almost every organ and system in the body. Young children, infants, and unborn babies are particularly at risk of lead poisoning. Having too much lead in your blood may cause anemia, a disorder of the blood. It can also damage the reproductive system in men. At high levels, lead may decrease a person’s reaction time; cause weakness in fingers, wrists, or ankles; and affect their memory. It can also cause serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells. The connection between these effects and exposure to low levels of lead is unclear
(see full page).
5. Environmental Protection Agency - Lead In Your Drinking Water
Too much lead in the human body can cause serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells. You have the greatest risk, even with short term exposure, if you are a young child, or you are pregnant. Lead levels in your drinking water are likely to be highest if: your home has faucets or fittings of brass which contains some lead, or your home or water system has lead pipes, or your home has copper pipes with solder, and the house is less than five years old, or you have naturally soft water, or water often sits in the pipes for several hours (see full page).
Where can I get more information?
First contact your county or state department of health or environment for information on local water quality. For more general information on lead, there are now two toll-free telephone services:
6. Texas A&M - Home Water Quality Problems -- Causes and Treatments
Many areas in Texas have water containing chemical or organic impurities from natural or man-made sources. These impurities may cause health problems, damage equipment, stain laundry and emit odors. Water-related problems will be found primarily in homes serviced by a private water supply, although a few of them will also be found in water from municipal water supplies. Those impurities which cause health problems should be attended to immediately; other problems caused by water impurities can be corrected by the treatments suggested (see full page).
7. Virginia Tech - Home Water Quality Problems Causes and Treatments
Many areas have water containing impurities from natural or artificial sources. These impurities may cause health problems, damage equipment or plumbing, or make the water undesirable due to taste, odor, appearance or staining.
Water-related problems will be found primarily in homes serviced by a private water supply, although occasionally, they will be found in water from municipal water supplies. Those impurities which cause health problems should be attended to immediately; other problems caused by water impurities can be corrected if they are a nuisance.
Before beginning any treatment plan, have water tested by an independent laboratory to determine the specific impurities and level of contamination.
This will help you select the most effective and economical treatment method
(see full page).
8. PropEx Real Estate Graduate School - Lead Piping and Lead In Water
Lead is a natural element that can be highly toxic to the human body. Most exposure to lead occurs from inhalation or direct contact with substances containing high levels of lead; however, lead can also enter the body through drinking water. Treated water contains minerals that can act as corrosive agents on the pipes that deliver water to the different rooms in a home or building; this can cause a harmful release of lead from any parts of the water delivery system that contain lead products
(see full page).
9. Clemson, National Ag Safety Database - Home Water Quality Problems, Causes and Treatments
Many areas have water containing impurities from natural or artificial sources. These impurities may cause health problems, damage equipment or plumbing, or make the water undesirable due to taste, odor, appearance or staining. Water-related problems will be found primarily in homes serviced by a private water supply, although occasionally, they will be found in water from municipal or public water supplies. Those impurities which cause health problems should be attended to immediately; other problems caused by water impurities can be corrected if they are a nuisance. Before beginning any treatment plan, have water tested by an independent laboratory to determine the specific impurities and level of contamination. This will help you select the most effective and economical treatment method
(see full page).
10. Institute for Research in Construction - Repair or replace?
IRC studies corroded water mains
IRC (The Institute for Research in Construction) is working to help North American municipalities make decisions about when to replace or repair aging water mains, by establishing the relationship between metal loss and strength (see full page).
11. Marietta Times - Examining the water we drink: Old plumbing a challenge for schools
Schools and other large buildings may face extra challenges when it comes to the delivery of drinking water. Dated plumbing systems can drastically affect water quality. Likewise, water quality can affect the condition of plumbing systems. Older buildings in particular may become susceptible to corrosion or pipe seepage, which can materially impact the content of water delivered through the tap. The U.S. Congress passed laws banning the use of lead in piping and solder in 1986, but older systems may still have lead components that can get into the water (see full article).
12. Penn State, College of Agricultural Sciences - Study on Lead in Drinking Water
Lead contamination poses a serious threat to the safety of drinking water in Pennsylvania. This colorless, odorless, and tasteless metal can go virtually undetected in water. At the same time, excessive amounts of lead place adults at higher risk for cancer, stroke, and high blood pressure. At even greater risk are children, whose rapidly growing bodies absorb lead more quickly and efficiently. Lead can cause premature birth, a reduced birth weight, seizures, behavioral disorders, brain damage, and a lower IQ level in children. As a result, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers lead the most serious environmental health hazard for children in the United States. This circular answers common questions you may have about lead in drinking water. It also helps you determine if your drinking water contains too much lead and suggests ways to reduce lead in your water. (see full circular from PennState).
13. City of Portland • Bureau of Water Works- Circular on Improving Water Flow
Customers sometimes express concern about low water pressure. Usually this problem is related to low flow rather than low pressure. The Water Bureau provides water to all services at a minimum pressure at the water meter of 20 pounds per square inch (psi). We closely monitor pressure throughout Portland. When there isn’t enough water flowing out of a tap or fixture, generally the problem is caused by something restricting flow. (see full circular).
Property owners are responsible for the condition of all plumbing and pipes that water flows through after it leaves the water meter at the street. Some water flow problems are temporary. Corroded galvanized pipe in homes and businesses causes 90% of the water flow problems in Portland’s homes. Do you have galvanized pipe? Pipes are often exposed near the hot water heater, under sinks, or on the property side of the water meter. Galvanized pipe is silver when new, dulling to gray as it ages. It was widely installed in Portland homes built before 1980. (see full page).
3. Wilkes University - Drinking Water Corrosion, Corrosivity, Saturation Index, and Corrosion Treatment
Corrosion is a complex series of reactions between the water and metal surfaces and materials in which the water is stored or transported. The corrosion process is an oxidation/reduction reaction that returns refined or processed metal to their more stable ore state. With respect to the corrosion potential of YOUR drinking water, the primary concerns include the potential presence of TOXIC Metals , such as lead and copper; deterioration and damage to the household plumbing, and aesthetic problem s such as: stained laundry, bitter taste, and greenish-blue stains around basins and drains.
The primary health concern is the potential for the presence of elevated levels of lead and copper in the water. The primary source of lead includes the use of lead pipes, lead lined tanks, and use of 50/50 lead/tin solder. Because of the concern with lead, the EPA banned the use of high lead solders in 1986. The primary source of copper is the leaching of copper from the household piping used to convey the water throughout the home. In some cases, the water is so corrosive that the interior plumbing system needed to be changed and completely replaced with PVC piping. To bad, they did not test the rate and install a neutralize before the piping corroded and caused leaks throughout the home (see full report).
4. Center for Disease Control - Lead and Drinking Water from Private Wells
It is estimated that lead in drinking water contributes between 10%-20% of total lead exposure in young children. Food is the greatest single source of lead exposure for the average adult. In the past few years, federal controls on lead in gasoline have significantly reduced total human exposure to lead.
Lead rarely occurs naturally in water; it usually gets into the water from the delivery system. Service connections, pipes, solder, and brass fixtures are all parts of the water delivery system that can contain lead. Reactions between the water and these parts can cause corrosion and cause the lead to get into your water.
Lead that is absorbed by the lungs and the digestive tract enters the bloodstream and travels to other parts of the body. Lead can affect almost every organ and system in the body. Young children, infants, and unborn babies are particularly at risk of lead poisoning. Having too much lead in your blood may cause anemia, a disorder of the blood. It can also damage the reproductive system in men. At high levels, lead may decrease a person’s reaction time; cause weakness in fingers, wrists, or ankles; and affect their memory. It can also cause serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells. The connection between these effects and exposure to low levels of lead is unclear
(see full page).
5. Environmental Protection Agency - Lead In Your Drinking Water
Too much lead in the human body can cause serious damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells. You have the greatest risk, even with short term exposure, if you are a young child, or you are pregnant. Lead levels in your drinking water are likely to be highest if: your home has faucets or fittings of brass which contains some lead, or your home or water system has lead pipes, or your home has copper pipes with solder, and the house is less than five years old, or you have naturally soft water, or water often sits in the pipes for several hours (see full page).
Where can I get more information?
First contact your county or state department of health or environment for information on local water quality. For more general information on lead, there are now two toll-free telephone services:
- EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791
- National Lead Information Center 1-800-LEAD-FYI
6. Texas A&M - Home Water Quality Problems -- Causes and Treatments
Many areas in Texas have water containing chemical or organic impurities from natural or man-made sources. These impurities may cause health problems, damage equipment, stain laundry and emit odors. Water-related problems will be found primarily in homes serviced by a private water supply, although a few of them will also be found in water from municipal water supplies. Those impurities which cause health problems should be attended to immediately; other problems caused by water impurities can be corrected by the treatments suggested (see full page).
7. Virginia Tech - Home Water Quality Problems Causes and Treatments
Many areas have water containing impurities from natural or artificial sources. These impurities may cause health problems, damage equipment or plumbing, or make the water undesirable due to taste, odor, appearance or staining.
Water-related problems will be found primarily in homes serviced by a private water supply, although occasionally, they will be found in water from municipal water supplies. Those impurities which cause health problems should be attended to immediately; other problems caused by water impurities can be corrected if they are a nuisance.
Before beginning any treatment plan, have water tested by an independent laboratory to determine the specific impurities and level of contamination.
This will help you select the most effective and economical treatment method
(see full page).
8. PropEx Real Estate Graduate School - Lead Piping and Lead In Water
Lead is a natural element that can be highly toxic to the human body. Most exposure to lead occurs from inhalation or direct contact with substances containing high levels of lead; however, lead can also enter the body through drinking water. Treated water contains minerals that can act as corrosive agents on the pipes that deliver water to the different rooms in a home or building; this can cause a harmful release of lead from any parts of the water delivery system that contain lead products
(see full page).
9. Clemson, National Ag Safety Database - Home Water Quality Problems, Causes and Treatments
Many areas have water containing impurities from natural or artificial sources. These impurities may cause health problems, damage equipment or plumbing, or make the water undesirable due to taste, odor, appearance or staining. Water-related problems will be found primarily in homes serviced by a private water supply, although occasionally, they will be found in water from municipal or public water supplies. Those impurities which cause health problems should be attended to immediately; other problems caused by water impurities can be corrected if they are a nuisance. Before beginning any treatment plan, have water tested by an independent laboratory to determine the specific impurities and level of contamination. This will help you select the most effective and economical treatment method
(see full page).
10. Institute for Research in Construction - Repair or replace?
IRC studies corroded water mains
IRC (The Institute for Research in Construction) is working to help North American municipalities make decisions about when to replace or repair aging water mains, by establishing the relationship between metal loss and strength (see full page).
11. Marietta Times - Examining the water we drink: Old plumbing a challenge for schools
Schools and other large buildings may face extra challenges when it comes to the delivery of drinking water. Dated plumbing systems can drastically affect water quality. Likewise, water quality can affect the condition of plumbing systems. Older buildings in particular may become susceptible to corrosion or pipe seepage, which can materially impact the content of water delivered through the tap. The U.S. Congress passed laws banning the use of lead in piping and solder in 1986, but older systems may still have lead components that can get into the water (see full article).
12. Penn State, College of Agricultural Sciences - Study on Lead in Drinking Water
Lead contamination poses a serious threat to the safety of drinking water in Pennsylvania. This colorless, odorless, and tasteless metal can go virtually undetected in water. At the same time, excessive amounts of lead place adults at higher risk for cancer, stroke, and high blood pressure. At even greater risk are children, whose rapidly growing bodies absorb lead more quickly and efficiently. Lead can cause premature birth, a reduced birth weight, seizures, behavioral disorders, brain damage, and a lower IQ level in children. As a result, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers lead the most serious environmental health hazard for children in the United States. This circular answers common questions you may have about lead in drinking water. It also helps you determine if your drinking water contains too much lead and suggests ways to reduce lead in your water. (see full circular from PennState).
13. City of Portland • Bureau of Water Works- Circular on Improving Water Flow
Customers sometimes express concern about low water pressure. Usually this problem is related to low flow rather than low pressure. The Water Bureau provides water to all services at a minimum pressure at the water meter of 20 pounds per square inch (psi). We closely monitor pressure throughout Portland. When there isn’t enough water flowing out of a tap or fixture, generally the problem is caused by something restricting flow. (see full circular).
