Frequently Asked Questions

Lead is a naturally occurring metal that can be harmful if inhaled or swallowed. It can be found in air, soil, dust, food, and water. (TCEQ, 2023)

The presence of lead in drinking water can come from three sources: lead service lines to a building, lead solder commonly used to join copper or cast iron pipes, or lead pipes, plumbing fittings, and fixtures within a building. Service lines are pipes that connect homes to water mains. Lead does not come from the surface water source that supplies your residence. However, the source water's temperature, pH level, and mineral content can potentially exacerbate lead leaching from pipes, fixtures, and solder into drinking water. (EPA, 2024)

Lead solder was commonly used to join copper pipes until 1988, when regulations limited its use. In older communities, the service lines may be made of lead. Corrosion of these service lines can release lead into the water supply.

The national lead ban was enacted in Texas in 1988, so plumbing installed before 1989 is at risk of containing lead in the lines, solder, or fixtures. You can check the recorded material of your service line by entering your address into our interactive Service Line Material Web Map <link to the web map>. If you think your home’s service line material has been mistakenly classified, please report the issue by calling 817-834-9036 or mailing LCRR@haltomcitytx.com

If your property does not use City water and relies on a well or another local source, the risk of lead contamination still exists. Lead contamination can come from the well components, the pump, and the pipes leading into your home, especially if they are made of or soldered with lead.

Living in an apartment complex does not exempt you from the risk of lead exposure. If the building is older and does not have updated plumbing, lead pipes or solder might be present. Furthermore, the complexity of plumbing systems in large buildings can make it difficult to control water quality.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) mandate regular sampling to test drinking water for lead. Samples are collected from various homes within the community, focusing on those most likely to have higher lead levels. Samples are collected from inside faucets that are most frequently used for consumption, such as kitchen or bathroom sinks. These samples are analyzed in certified laboratories to measure the concentration of lead. Utilities must report these findings to the state and the public. Haltom City’s P90 monitoring results have historically met state and federal safe drinking water levels for lead and have never been detected above 15 ug/L: the action level standard for lead in drinking water. P90 or 90th percentile value means that 90% of the samples taken over the year have lead levels at or below this value. Essentially, it indicates that only 10% of the samples had lead levels higher than this threshold, making it a benchmark for assessing overall water quality.

If the P90 lead concentration exceeds the TCEQ's action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb), the utility must notify the public and take corrective actions to reduce the lead levels (EPA, 2024). For reference, 15 ppb is equivalent to dissolving a drop of dye into a large swimming pool.  Haltom City’s historical P90 results have no readings detected over 15 ppb.

Lead exposure can occur through paint, industrial emissions, soil contaminated by past emissions or leaded gas, and certain imported products or foods.