There's a simple answer to questions about lead in Anaheim's water. While you may have heard news stories about high lead levels in Washington, DC's water and wondered if your water contains lead, the simple answer is Anaheim's water does not contain lead.

Anaheim, and other water utilities, test water for lead by having homeowners obtain samples from inside their homes after the water has not been used for at least six hours. The theory behind this sampling method is that lead is most likely to leach into water via a homeowner's plumbing system or fixtures. This first flush sample will contain lead if the water is corrosive and the homeowner's plumbing system contains lead. Anaheim's water is not corrosive, although there are times when it is relatively more corrosive than other times. Also, most Anaheim homes do not contain lead service lines, so the amount of lead available for leaching is minimal. Since the Lead and Copper Rule was implemented in 1993, which requires the sampling described above, Anaheim has never exceeded the Action Level for lead. In fact, the lead levels have been below the laboratory detection limits, so it is safe to say that lead is not an issue in Anaheim. 

If you'd like to volunteer to obtain samples from your home for future Lead and Copper Rule samples, please send us an e-mail at waterquality@anaheim.net. To be eligible, your home must have been built between 1984 and 1986. This federal requirement is because lead-based solder was commonly used during those years. United States.
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December 2005