How to Ensure Water Quality

There are daily actions that all customers should take to ensure the highest quality of water is coming out of your tap, especially if there is the possibility of lead in your plumbing system and after a disruption of service.

The City of Cleveland recommends residents remember the following for water safety: Flush. Clean. Consume Cold.

As a standard practice the USEPA recommends the following actions to reduce possible lead exposure in drinking water. In some situations, a water system repair/replacement may temporarily increase lead levels in water and/or cause discoloration.

Instructions for cleaning aerators

Instructions for whole house flushing

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water and especially if you’ve experienced a Disruption of Service

• FLUSH-Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap for 5-30 minutes.
• CLEAN: Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Click here to learn how to clean aerators.
• CONSUME COLD: Use only cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby formula. Remember, boiling water does not remove lead from water.
• If you use a filter certified to remove lead, don’t forget to read the directions to learn when to change the cartridge. Using a filter after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead.
• Replace pre-2014 faucets and fixtures. Older faucets may contain higher levels of lead. Faucets manufactured and sold in the U.S. after 2014 are considered “lead-free” and must contain less than 0.25% lead in areas that come into contact with water.
• Customers can also choose to have their water tested at their cost at a certified laboratory. Click here for the Ohio EPA list of certified laboratories that can test for lead.

For more information, visit the EPA website by clicking here.

City of Lakewood Water Quality Report