A high level of lead in drinking water can cause health concerns, particularly in children. That's why DHEC works to ensure that public water systems adhere to drinking water quality standards and regulations. Lead is rarely in drinking water when it leaves the treatment plant; however, it can seep into the water from old plumbing along the way.
How Lead Gets into Drinking Water
Public water systems perform routine tests guided by federal and state standards to make sure the amount of lead in drinking water remains at a safe level. If the level rises too high, the Environmental Protection Agency requires action. The EPA's Action Level for lead in drinking water is greater than 15 parts per billion or .015 mg/L. The state's Safe Drinking Water Regulation (R.61-58) also requires specific actions to protect the public. If a public water system exceeds the lead action level, it must:
When water stands in lead pipes or plumbing systems containing lead for several hours, the lead may dissolve into your drinking water. If you have lead pipes or plumbing that contains lead, the first water drawn from the tap in the morning, or later in the afternoon if the water has not been used all day, can contain high levels of lead.
Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1986 banned the use of lead solder containing greater than 0.2 percent lead, and restricted the lead content of faucets, pipes and other plumbing materials to 8 percent.
How DHEC Helps Keep Your Drinking Water Safe
DHEC regulates public water systems to make sure they comply with drinking water standards and helps them produce the best possible water quality. DHEC provides:
Public water systems perform routine tests guided by federal and state standards to make sure the amount of lead in drinking water remains at a safe level. If the level rises too high, the Environmental Protection Agency requires action. The EPA's Action Level for lead in drinking water is greater than 15 parts per billion or .015 mg/L. The state's Safe Drinking Water Regulation (R.61-58) also requires specific actions to protect the public. If a public water system exceeds the lead action level, it must:
- Provide public education to every person served by their system (and submit proof that they did so to DHEC within 30 days).
- Collect and distribute additional samples to DHEC within 30 days.
- Conduct source water monitoring.
- Submit a plan for controlling corrosion to DHEC.
Lead Data
Notes: The Action Level for lead is greater than 15 parts per billion or .015 mg/L. The units for the lead values shown in the PDF are in mg/L.
Monitoring periods are January through June and July through December if the system is on six-month monitoring. The monitoring period is June 1 through September 30 if the system is on annual or three-year monitoring.
An exceedance of the action level is calculated based on the 90th percentile of all samples taken during the monitoring period (at different locations within the distribution system or multiple samples taken at the same location).
A blank means no sample was taken during that monitoring period. A zero means a sample was taken and lead was not found above the detection limit.
There is no federal or state maximum contaminant level for lead. An exceedance of the action level requires the public water system to implement measures to control corrosion, provide education to their customers about ways to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water, and additional sampling.
How to Reduce Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water
Flush Your System
Flushing tap water is a simple and inexpensive measure you can take to protect your health. It typically uses less than one to two gallons of water.
Let the water run from the tap before using it for drinking or cooking if the faucet has gone unused for more than six hours. The longer water stays in plumbing the more lead it may contain. To flush the tap, run the cold water faucet for about 15-40 seconds. Although toilet flushing or showering flushes water through a portion of the plumbing system, you still need to flush each faucet before using it for drinking or cooking.
Use Only Cold Water for Cooking and Drinking
Do not cook with, or drink water from the hot water tap. Hot water can dissolve lead more quickly than cold water. If you need hot water, draw water from the cold tap and then heat it.
Is Your Water from a Public Water System?
If you receive a water bill, then your drinking water most likely is from a public water system. Public water systems (that serve the same people year round) are required by law to provide their customers with a water quality report, also known as a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Find more information about testing your drinking water.
Upcoming Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)
On January 15th, 2021 EPA published the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. These revisions will require changes to Lead and Copper sampling as well as a service line inventory for all systems subject to the Lead and Copper Rule. The regulation will go into effect and initial inventories are due October 16th, 2024. More information can be found on EPA’s website (https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/revised-lead-and-copper-rule). Per EPA the implementation of LCRR will be followed by the release of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).
Useful Documents:
- Revised DHEC Service Line Inventory Template
- EPA Inventory Template
- EPA Inventory Final Guidance
- EPA LCRR Small System Entity Inventory Guide
- EPA Factsheet LCRR
Useful Lead and Copper Forms
- DHEC 3023 – Lead and Copper Monitoring Report Form Justification for Change of Sample Site
- DHEC 3024 – Lead and Copper Monitoring Reporting Form Analytical Results for Lead and Copper
- DHEC 3025 – Lead and Copper Monitoring Reporting Form Analytical Results for Water Quality Parameter Monitoring
- DHEC 3162 – Lead and Copper Monitoring Report Form for Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems
- DHEC 3997 – Public Education on Lead in Drinking Water
- SC DHEC Suggested Directions for Homeowner Tap Sampling Collection Procedures
- SC DHEC Suggested Directions for Non-Transient Non-Community Water System Tap Sampling Collection Procedures
Have a Private Well?
If your drinking water comes from a private well, it is up to you to make sure it is safe. Be sure to test your well water for contaminants.
Learn more about how to protect your family from lead exposure.
Contacts
- Richard Welch, Jr. P.E., Manager, Drinking Water & Recreational Waters Compliance, (803) 898-3546
- Wendi Smith, Program Manager, Drinking Water Compliance Monitoring Section, (803) 898-2382
- Idris Liban, Lead and Copper Rule Manager, (803) 898-3573
- Ana Barber, Lead and Copper Rule Manager, (803) 898-4154