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1. Should Durham's water customers be concerned about lead in the drinking water?

No. There is no detectable lead in the drinking water leaving Durham's two treatment plants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires triennial sampling, and in the City’s most recent sampling cycle (conducted July-September 2022), all of the tested properties were – with the exception of one sample – less than the detection level of 0.003 milligrams per liter (mg/l). The one sample in which lead was detected was at the 0.003 mg/l detection level. The results are all well below the EPA’s maximum level allowed of 0.015 milligrams of lead per liter of water (mg/L), or 15 parts per billion (ppb). 

You can find more information about Durham’s most recent water quality testing results in the Annual Water Quality Report.

2. How could lead get into the drinking water?

Lead is a common and naturally occurring metal that is found throughout the environment. However, it is rare to find lead in surface water supplies such as lakes and rivers. If lead is detected in drinking water, it is primarily due to of corrosion in lead pipes that connect some older homes (pre-1986) to the water system and/or household plumbing such as brass or chrome plated brass faucets that contain lead.

3. How would I know if my household plumbing was a problem?

Age is the primary factor to consider. In older homes and homes that have copper pipes with lead solder, lead pipes, and/or lead service lines, lead can dissolve into tap water when the water is allowed to stand in lead pipes (or plumbing systems containing lead) for several hours or overnight. Lead piping is likely to be found only in homes built before 1930. Copper piping eventually replaced lead piping, but lead-based solder was still used to join copper pipes until it was banned by North Carolina in 1985. The EPA has determined that houses built between 1983 and 1985 which meet the above conditions, may have an elevated risk of lead in drinking water.

4. What can I do to minimize the risk to me and my family?

If your home does not meet the above criteria, your chance of lead exposure from drinking water is extremely low. However, there are several tips you can follow to further reduce or even eliminate the chance. 

• If a faucet has gone unused for more than six hours, flush it by running cold water from the tap for one to two minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. Faucets should be flushed individually. You can conserve water by capturing that initial running water for non-consumable purposes, such as watering plants, washing dishes, or flushing the toilet. Another way to save time and water is to fill a pitcher once the faucet has been flushed, and put it in your refrigerator for quick access to cold, clean water. Never cook with or drink water from the hot water tap. Hot water dissolves lead faster than cold water. If you need hot water, draw cold water from the tap and heat it on the stove or in the microwave. 
• Never use hot tap water to make baby formula or cereal. 
• Periodically remove loose debris from plumbing materials by removing faucet strainers/aerators from all taps and running the water for three to five minutes.

5. What is Durham doing to eliminate/reduce exposure to lead in our drinking water?

The City adds a corrosion inhibitor into the drinking water at its two treatment plants. This corrosion control program has been in place since the 1970s, and has effectively minimized the corrosion of lead and copper household pipes.

6. Have the City's actions eliminated my risk/exposure to lead and copper?

Not completely. As stated in #3, lead poses a bigger health hazard in older homes and those that still have lead-based solder in place. Also, lead can dissolve into the tap water when water stands unused in lead pipes (or plumbing systems containing lead) for several hours or overnight.

7. What should I do if I suspect lead poisoning?

Lead exposure poses a greater health risk to children, pregnant and nursing women. Kids younger than six are eligible for a free blood lead screening by the Durham County Department of Public Health. Please contact the department at 919-560-7600 to arrange a test.

8. What if I need more information or want my water tested?

If you are a City of Durham water customer, your home was built before 1986, and you are concerned there may be lead in your home's plumbing, you can request to have your water tested for lead. 

To request a free sample kit, contact Durham One Call at 919-560-1200.

After completing the necessary request form, you may then pick up your sample kit (available three business days after completing the form) at one of two locations: our Compliance Services Building at 6605 Farrington Road, or our Mist Lake Facility at 1600 Mist Lake Drive. Kits will be available for pick-up Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Customers should complete a request form and provide the required information so that appropriate labels and associated paperwork can be prepared and made ready. After collecting samples, customers should return them to either WRF as soon as possible for analysis.

For more information on lead in drinking water, visit 

For more information on lead in drinking water, visit the EPA’s Ground Water and Drinking Water website.

9. Who may I contact at the City if I still have questions about lead?

The City of Durham Department of Water Management is happy to provide additional information about lead and drinking water. Please contact the department at 919-560-4381 Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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