What should you know?

• Homes built before 1962 have lead pipes and water service lines.
• Lead in your home’s tap water typically comes from older fixtures, in which lead solder was used, or when water sits in lead pipes for several hours between uses.

What can
you do?

• Filter your water and replace cartridges regularly. Buy a water filter that is certified to remove lead; look for NSF/ANSI 53.
• If you cannot afford a filter, always run your cold water tap for 3 minutes between uses.
• Women of child-bearing age and children under 6 should ALWAYS drink and cook with filtered or bottled water.
• Always use cold tap water for cooking and drinking.
• Clean water screens on your faucet weekly.
• See a doctor if you’re worried about lead exposure.

What should you NOT do?

• DO NOT cook with hot tap water.
• DO NOT make infant formula with hot tap water.
• Boiling water DOES NOT remove lead.

Additional resources:

• Get tested for lead exposure: Contact your doctor, local WIC Clinic or your city’s Health Department.
• Well Fed Means Less Lead! See the Get Well Fed page for tips on protecting your family through the use of healthy foods.
• Visit GetWellFed.org for more information.
• To find a NSF/ANSI53 water filter certified to remove lead check our resources page.