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Sometimes drinking tap water comes with a “flavor.” While pure drinking water does not have a specific taste, tap water may have a more noticeable metallic taste. Often, the reason for this taste is not that the municipal water company failed to properly filter the water–rather, the culprit is old pipes in your house.
Old pipes, solder, and plumbing fixtures may alter the water that runs through them. When metal from old pipes gets into the water supply, both aesthetic and health-related problems may occur in the drinking water (1). Metal enters the water supply through a process called corrosion. Corrosion is “a dissolving or wearing away of metal caused by a chemical reaction between water and your plumbing” (2). When water runs through the same pipes day after day, little by little, small pieces of metal begin to flake off into the water supply. The process of corrosion is intensified if the water running through the pipes is acidic.
If you notice an extremely metallic taste in your water, test your water’s pH level. If it has a low pH, then it is acidic, which is what intensifies corrosion and adds more heavy metals to your tap water.
Two of the most common metals that enter the water supply during corrosion are lead and copper. Both metals were commonly used in pipes and plumbing fixtures prior to 1986, and many houses still have the original plumbing installed. Old pipes are the most common source of heavy metals in drinking water supplies.
Lead is a heavy metal that can be very dangerous if consumed, even in small amounts. Lead poisoning can occur and harm all demographics, but some groups are more susceptible than others. Children under six years old, for example, are extremely vulnerable to lead poisoning. Children exposed to lead are at risk of behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth, lower IQ, and anemia.
Pregnant women are also a high risk group when it comes to lead exposure. Even small amounts of lead consumed can put the fetus at risk of reduced growth and the mother at risk of a premature birth.
Other adults have a lower risk of lead poisoning, but they can still experience its harmful effects. Lead poisoning in adults may present itself through high blood pressure, decreased kidney function, and reproductive complications.
Like lead, copper is a metal used in old pipes and plumbing fixtures that can flake off into the water supply. It is atrace element, meaning your body only needs a very small amount of copper to function properly (3). In fact, the small amounts of copper that your body gets from shellfish, nuts, potatoes, whole grains, and even chocolate is enough to support your body’s essential functions.
When copper comes in contact with water, it has an alkalizing effect on the supply, creating alkaline water (4). (Note: Just because water is alkaline and has a high pH does not mean it is safe to drink. Adding copper to your water is not a recommended way to alkalize your water.)
While small amounts of copper in your diet is healthy, “eating or drinking too much copper can cause headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, liver damage, and kidney disease” (5).
As a general note, homes built before 1980 were likely made with lead pipes, as 1980 was the first year that legislation was passed to stop lead contamination in homes. However, since the 1980’s, a series of “rebranding” efforts allow companies to install “chrome-plated iron,” “brass,” or “chrome-plated brass” fixtures, all of which are soldered with lead. Even pipes sold as “lead free” may contain up to 0.25% of lead.
Reaching out to your public water system will allow you to find out what your home’s water service line is made out of. Alternatively, a few quick home tests can help you deduce what your pipes are made out of. If a magnet sticks to your pipes, they are probably made out of galvanized steel. If a magnet does not stick and the pipe is copper-colored, it is made out of copper. If a magnet does not stick and the pipe is soft and silver-colored, it is made out of lead (6).
To remove harmful metals from your water, there are various levels of steps you can take. On one end of the spectrum, you can replace the old pipes in your house with pipes made of safe, new materials. This reduces the risk of exposure to heavy metals through corrosion, but it is typically the most expensive removal option.
On the other end of the spectrum, letting the tap water run cold before drinking it can lessen the risk of heavy metal exposure. This technique is cost-effective and easy, but it does not guarantee metal-free water.
An effective method of removing heavy metals from your tap is to invest in a water filter. Many water filters are designed to remove specific contaminants, so it is important to research a filter that can remove heavy metals like lead and copper. Seychelle’s Gen 2 Dual Regular Water Pitcher, for example, is independently lab-tested to remove 99.99% of inorganic contaminants like lead and copper.
While old pipes do not necessarily make your drinking water more acidic, acidic water does cause old pipes to corrode more rapidly than alkaline or pure tap water. When acidic water runs through old pipes, they corrode faster, causing harmful metals like lead and copper to enter the drinking water supply. If your house has old pipes or plumbing fixtures, it is important to take the necessary precautions to protect your family from consuming heavy metals.
What happens if you drink water from old pipes?
Water from old pipes may contain metals like lead and copper. Consuming metals may lead to negative health effects.
What are the symptoms of copper poisoning in water pipes?
Symptoms of copper poisoning include headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, liver damage, and kidney disease.
Can old pipes make you sick?
Yes. Old pipes increase the risk of heavy metal exposure, as old pipes are susceptible to corrosion, which can cause metals like lead and copper to enter your water supply.
References
PennState Extension,https://extension.psu.edu/corrosive-water-problems
Environmental Protection Agency,https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water
Kathy Warwick and Ariane Lang,Healthline,https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/copper-water-benefits
Alnasir Khan,Kaarigar,https://kaarigarhandicrafts.com/blogs/kaarigar/how-copper-makes-water-alkaline?srsltid=AfmBOooVy7c63R9pkGdmpT22IWPja9YVkxE_mcLoRYebfCYz0KWNga92
Minnesota Department of Health,https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/contaminants/copper.html
Courtney Lindwall,NRDC,https://www.nrdc.org/stories/how-find-out-if-your-home-has-lead-service-lines#home-entrance
