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[–] • 2 pts

Symptoms of lead poisoning in adults:

High blood pressure Joint and muscle pain Difficulties with memory or concentration Headache Abdominal pain Mood disorders Reduced sperm count and abnormal sperm Miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth in pregnant women

Unless you're "lucky" enough to live in Flint Michigan, your drinking water supply chemistry is likely fairly stable. As the letter notes, most lead material is in the service lines. If your water supply is neutral to basic, lime scale tends to build up and coat the pipe. This in turn minimizes the dissolution of lead into the water. However an acidic water supply can dissolve lead.

Two things to do:

  1. View your city's public works webpage to find which water treatment plant is closest to your home. Find the water quality report and read it to find out what the pH of their treated water is.

  2. Inspect where your service line enters the house to determine line composition. If not viewable, ask your neighbors. If they're clueless, ask a local plumber what his guess is based on age of the neighborhood and what he's encountered.

In my experience, homes in the Midwest constructed before 1920 typically have lead services. Use dropped off thereafter, with a nearly complete switch to copper by 1950. If your lines aren't made of lead, you may still be crazy though...

[–] • 3 pts

Not in the midwest, but most of the homes in my neighborhood were built well before 1920, not sure about the exact age of my building. Closest similar house on Zillow was built in 1905.

I tried to read the rest of your post, but it was confusing and gave me a headache and abdominal pain.

[–] • 1 pt (edited )

...headache and abdominal pain.

Pregnancy confirmed - also low sperm count.

Edit - TIL: Philly isn't in the Midwest. Damnit.

[–] • 0 pt

I was wondering why you said Midwest.

I feel like I am one of the few who is pretty obvious about where I live.

[–] • 0 pt

Here's the link (water.phila.gov) - it even tells you you have 3 plants from which to choose. Regardless, you're drinking water sourced from a local river.

Sad news though - your water commissioner is a nigger.

[–] • 0 pt

Naw, the letter says the 'lead' isn't from the plant, it MAY be from the connection to the main

[–] • 1 pt

@Frosty best actual expert advice from an engineer

[–] • 1 pt

You voluntarily live in Philly?

[–] • 0 pt

You voluntarily live in Philly?

I wouldn't go that far. I wake up in Philadelphia, mostly.

[–] • 1 pt

Last comments for you. Excerpts from the water quality report follow:

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In terms of the pH and hardness of the water, I'd feel better if the pH of the water was closer to 8 and the mineral hardness was higher- these would potentially impart more scale forming ability to the water and potentially lessen probability of lead in service lines leaching into your water. That said, it is what it is. You're slightly better off in this regard if you AREN'T served by the Baxter plant. But overall it looks like your water utility delivers an ok product when compared to other reports I've seen.

Follow their guidance in the letter to attempt to verify your service line material type. Implement personal protective measures (water filter, etc.) as appropriate thereafter. Under the "More you can do" section of your letter, review the references for service line replacement if necessary and discuss with your landlord if you're renting. Most cities that have lead service line problems also have funding mechanisms in place to assist with replacement costs.

Good luck.