United States
Environmental Protection Office of Water EPA 812-F-95-002
Agency 4604 September 1995
&EPA FACT SHEET
UPDATE ON LEAD LEACHING FROM SUBMERSIBLE
WELL PUMPS AND PRIVATE DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
Introduction and Summary
This fact sheet updates information on potential lead leaching from submersible pumps used in
drinking water wells. In the spring of 1994, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
issued a fact sheet about the potential hazards associated with lead from submersible well
pumps. THIS FACT SHEET REPLACES THE 1994 DOCUMENT.
This fact sheet also supplements EPA's 1993 booklet "Lead in Your Drinking Water"
(EPA/810-F-93-001) which addresses sources of lead in household plumbing (e.g., faucets
and pipes), irrespective of whether the water source is a public water system or a private
well.
Based on new information, EPA concludes that while some submersible water pumps that
contain lead materials may leach lead at levels of concern when the pumps are brand new,
lead leaching tends to decrease relatively quickly, arriving at low lead concentrations that in
most cases would not pose health risks. Also, U.S. pump manufacturers have recently
changed the materials used in their pumps to reduce or eliminate the use of lead. However,
because (1) pumps are constructed differently, (2) water corrosivity around the country differs
substantially, and (3) other components of a household water system, including plumbing
fixtures, may contain lead, the only way to be sure that you do not have elevated lead levels
at the tap is to have your water tested. Information presented below explains when testing is
appropriate and how to conduct and evaluate tests for lead in your drinking water.
New Information
The 1994 fact sheet was based on lead leaching data, provided to EPA, collected over a 30-
day period from new submersible water well pumps under laboratory conditions. While lead
concentrations were high in the water that sat in contact with the pump in the laboratory,
EPA noted that it did not have data to tell us how long lead levels would remain elevated or
how much of the lead coming from pumps would appear at the water tap and expose
residents under "real world" conditions. Since then, EPA, as well as some States, sponsored
or conducted field tests that better approximated actual operating conditions. The new field
test data provide a better indication of the extent to which lead leaches from new pumps, an
estimate of how long lead leaching continues after installation of a new pump, and how much
lead may appear at the tap.
In two studies, a limited number of new submersible well pumps previously tested in the
laboratory were installed in separate, newly drilled wells, in accordance with standard
procedures. The new pumps were operated to approximate typical residential usage over four
to six weeks. The only components of the test systems that contained leaded brass or bronze
components were the pumps, and the samples were collected to isolate lead contributions
from the pump as opposed to other components of the water supply system (i.e., valves,
solder, faucets).
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The highest lead concentrations were measured after the water sat in the pumps overnight.
All concentrations measured under the real world conditions of these studies were
substantially lower than the laboratory testing conducted earlier. In some cases during the
first 10 days of the pumps' operation, concentrations at the tap approached or exceeded
EPA's "action level" of 15 parts per billion (ppb)1. In general, however, lead leaching from the
new pumps declined substantially with time, so that after about four-six weeks of operation,
lead concentrations leveled out below 5 ppb at the tap.
Changes in Pump Manufacturing
U.S. pump manufacturers have significantly changed the materials used in their pumps to
greatly reduce, or eliminate the use of lead2. Until 1995, most submersible water well pumps
were manufactured with some brass or bronze parts that used lead as an ingredient. Most of
these pumps are now made either with brass alloys that contain no lead, or with lead-free
materials such as stainless steel or plastic. While EPA has not tested these pumps, we would
expect submersible pumps manufactured in the U.S. after January 1, 1995 to leach very low
levels of lead, if any. Consult with the manufacturers about any tests that it has conducted
that would support low-lead claims for any particular model of pump.
What Should You Do?
In homes with a new pump or new brass plumbing components, the easiest way in most
cases to avoid elevated lead levels in drinking water is to let the water run before using it for
drinking or cooking. The longer water resides in your home's plumbing, the more lead it may
contain; letting the water run, or flushing the tap usually reduces the lead concentration
significantly. Flushing the tap means running the cold water for 15 seconds (if you have a
new brass faucet) to 2 minutes or more (if you have a new brass pump or pump fitting that
contains lead). This should be done for at least the first four weeks after the pump or other
plumbing component is installed. Rather than waste the "first flush" water, you can use it to
wash the dishes or water the plants. Showering or toilet flushing can help flush out a new
pump, but not a new faucet.
While new pumps made in the U.S. now appear to be effectively lead-free, some others may
be of concern including older models containing leaded brass that remain in inventory, or new
imported models with leaded brass. In addition, other components of a water system such as
pipes, fittings, foot valves and check valves, pitless adapters, solder, and faucets may contain
lead. Although recent field tests of some older style leaded brass pumps indicate that they
themselves are not likely to pose a significant health risk after they have been in use for a
relatively short time, they may add some lead to that which may already be leaching from
other sources in the household plumbing. Any time a plumbing system component including a
pump has to be replaced, homeowners who want to reduce lead exposures as much as
possible should consider using products free of brass or bronze that contain lead.
1 Action level is defined in EPA's National Drinking Water Regulations for lead as the
concentration above which public water systems are required to install corrosion control
treatment and deliver educational materials to the public.
2 August 23, 1994 letter from Robin Grover of the firm Keck, Mahin & Gate, representing
the Water Systems Council, to Peter Cook of EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
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In addition, some water qualities, especially those of neutral or acidic pH, can cause lead to
leach from pumps at higher levels for some period of time. Homeowners with these
conditions and lead-containing materials in the plumbing system, those concerned about lead
exposure (especially with young children), or those who want to know the effect of their
flushing routines, should consider having their drinking water tested. Select a certified
laboratory in your area and be sure to follow the sampling protocol given below. EPA's Safe
Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) can provide you with the name and phone number of
the lab certification officer in your State. They, in turn, can provide a list of State-certified
labs.
Sampling Protocol
Household water systems that rely on individual wells may have one of several different
designs. Most systems include a storage tank, where water is held before it is distributed
through the house. Because lead in your drinking water may also come from lead solder and
brass faucets and fittings in the interior plumbing, it is important to determine possible
contributions of lead from indoor plumbing components. Checking for lead from both a pump
and from indoor plumbing components can be accomplished by sampling your drinking water
at two times in a given day and having the water analyzed by a certified laboratory using
approved analytical techniques.
First, collect a 250 mL (one fourth of a liter, or about 8.5 ounces) sample from the kitchen or
bathroom faucet. The certified lab should provide you with a container to collect the sample.
This sample should be collected after the water has sat motionless for several hours (e.g.,
first thing in the morning or after returning from work) without allowing the water to run first.
This is called a "first draw sample" and should provide an indication of lead being leached
from interior plumbing.
Second, to determine the lead concentration that you may be exposed to from that part of
your water system that contains the pump, storage tank, associated pipes and valves, and
outside faucets, a 250 mL sample should be collected mid-morning after routine water use
(showering, flushing, etc.) either: (1) at the outlet of the storage tank, if feasible, after
allowing the water to run for 30 seconds, or (2) at a tap after letting the water run for 2
minutes. This is called a "flushed sample".
Evaluating Your Test Results
If the lead concentration in either sample is more than EPA's action level of 15 ppb (also
expressed as 0.015 mg/L), there are several steps you can take. One option is to repeat the
test to verify the results. Having a repeat test for comparison can be more informative than
having a single test result. If either the first draw or flushed sample test is above 15 ppb, you
may consider the following.
If you have a submersible well pump that contains leaded brass or bronze and the flushed
sample has a lead level above 15 ppb, the source of lead could either be the pump or the
plumbing component associated with the pump. If it is a new pump, perhaps the easiest and
most economical step would be to operate the pump for several weeks until a follow-up
sampling indicates a level below 15 ppb. As the pump ages, lead levels should drop
considerably. During this time, bottled water could be used for drinking. If lead levels remain
elevated, or if it is an older pump and lead levels are elevated upon initial and follow-up
testing, other options should be pursued. Examples include, installing a home water treatment
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problem component(s), with one that does not contain or leach significant amounts of lead. All
lead reduction claims by salespersons or manufacturers of home treatment devices should be
investigated. Information on certified treatment units and low lead or lead free pumps can be
obtained from NSF, International, or the Water Systems Council (see below).
If the lead level is above 15 ppb in the first-draw 250 mL sample, but not in the flushed sample, the
lead is likely coming from components of your household plumbing (e.g., lead pipes, solder, or
leaded brass faucets). If this is the case, any time the water in a particular faucet has not been used
for several hours, flush your cold water pipes by running the water. This could take as few as five
to thirty seconds after heavy use such as showering or toilet flushing.
For More Information
For more information about lead in drinking water, contact the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
800-426-4791, or via E-mail to Hotline-SDWA@EPAMail.epa.gov, or the National Lead
Information Center at 800-424-LEAD. For more information about home treatment units, or low-
lead or lead-free submersible pumps, contact NSF International at (800) NSF-MARK, or the Water
Quality Association at (708) 505-0161, ext. 270, or the Water Systems Council at (708) 790-3095.
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