Guidance for Single-Family Residents at Risk of Lead in Drinking Water Exposure*

When contaminants such as lead are suspected to have entered the premise plumbing, the following procedure can be used by residents of single-family residences to flush their plumbing system.

• Use only cold, fresh water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. 
• Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home. If you are not familiar with the structural and plumbing details of your residence, run the water for at least one (1) minute or until after it turns cold.  For more information about building flushing, see MassDEP Building Flushing Information. 
• Use your filter properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified and labeled to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, see EPA’s Home Drinking Water Filtration Fact Sheet and EPA's Consumer Tool for Identifying POU Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead.
• Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
• Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Contact your public water supplier to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service line. Activities that physically disturb the service line may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line if present.
• Have your water tested. Contact your public water supplier to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water and any information about how to get your water tested. See MassDEP's Online Searchable Laboratory Certification Listing for a list of certified laboratories that offer lead in drinking water testing.

Learn More:
What you Should Know about Lead in Drinking Water and Consumer Notices (English, PDF 289.29 KB)
 

^{* Based on EPA's 24 hour Notification template following a lead action level exceedance}