Many landlords (and tenants) are concerned that their properties may have lead in their drinking water. 

In most houses built before 1950, plumbing from the exterior water service (called the “main”) into the property was made of lead.  Although many of these “main “ water lines have been replaced, there are many cases where lead still remains in fittings, fixtures, solder, and flux in the interior plumbing of the house.

This service uses a Pennsylvania-certified laboratory to test to assure you there are no concentrations of lead in the drinking water of your properties using Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS*) testing according to EPA 200.9 standards.  

Upon completion of the testing, we will issue you an EPA report confirming that there is no presence of lead in your property (as any presence of lead is dangerous).

If you are interested in this service, please email us: LeadTestingServicesPhila@gmail.com

Resources

US EPA APPROVES NEW REGULATIONS FOR LEAD IN WATER

On September 1, 2020, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) published the final regulation "Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder, and Flux for Drinking Water." In the final rule, EPA makes conforming changes to existing regulations based on the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act (RLDWA) and the Community Fire Safety Act enacted by Congress. This will have a significant impact on landlords and property managers. Link to the full report:

epa.gov/sdwa/use-lead-free-pipes-fittings-fixtures-solder-and-flux-drinking-water

RISK OF LEAD IN DRINKING WATER IN YOUR PROPERTY

While the Philadelphia Water Department treats water to make it safer for homes with lead plumbing, there is always a risk of lead getting into the water when you have lead in your plumbing. Link to video: Lead and Drinking Water: How Lead Can Get Into Water

PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE ARTICLE ON LEAD

Philadelphia Magazine publishes an article about lead and the hazards to residents, particularly about how the City could change the way it tests for lead in water. Link to the article: It's Not Just Flint — Philadelphia Has a Huge Lead Problem, Too

FREE BLOOD TESTING FOR CHILDREN

The City of Philadelphia offers free blood testing for children which further supports why your property should be tested for lead in the drinking water. Link to the testing: philasd.org/capitalprograms/programsservices/environmental/water-testing/