What is Lead and how do you eliminate them in York, Hanover, Gettysburg and Harrisburg PA?

Lead can enter drinking water when service pipes that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. The most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures with lead solder, from which significant amounts of lead can enter into the water, especially hot water.

Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) has reduced the maximum allowable lead content -- that is, content that is considered "lead-free" -- to be a weighted average of 0.25 percent calculated across the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures and 0.2 percent for solder and flux.

Lead has been linked to brain damage and a variety of adverse health issues from interference iwth red blood cell chemistry and mental development in infants to long term exposure risks like cancer, strokes and kidney disease. Children and pregnant women are particularly at high risk.

Because lead is not dermally invasive, often a separate Reverse Osmosis water faucet at the kitchen sink is considered the ideal method. Whole house treatment for nitrate can be done by a modification of a water softener, using lead selective resin instead of the usual softening resin in the tank. This ion exchange system is referred to as a point of entry, or a whole house treatment.

Call NicMar | Martin Water at 717.528.8444 for any lead water treatment services in the greater York, Hanover, Gettysburg and Harrisburg areas or click here to contact us for immediate service.

Using Reverse Osmosis for the removal of Lead in York, Hanover, Gettysburg and Harrisburg PA

The reverse osmosis system is essentially a dedicated faucet at your kitchen sink, which is usually where any cooking/drinking water comes from.  The reverse osmosis system can also feed the water supply to your refrigerator icemaker ensuring that EVERYTHING that you consume is filtered through this system. 

Reverse Osmosis in fact not only filters out lead, but also removes just about everything else from your drinking water supply.  The semi-permeable membrane openings that the water must goes through is over 100,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.  Water through osmosis goes through this “distillation” process VERY slowly which is the reason for a separate holding tank under your kitchen sink.

What does R.O. cost for the removal of Lead in York, Hanover, Gettysburg and Harrisburg PA?

The multi faceted filtration capabilities of R.O. and the relatively low price of this method of Lead remediation makes reverse osmosis the preferred choice for most applications.

What does whole house Lead removal in York, Hanover, Gettysburg and Harrisburg PA cost?

A whole house ion exchange systems, fully installed may costs as little as $2000 depending upon the installation and maximum flow rate required based on daily water usage.   The advantage of the ion exchange method of lead reduction is the ability to treat much larger volumes of water than any residential  R.O. which has its limitations.

Softening water while removing Lead through a whole house system in York, Hanover, Gettysburg and Harrisburg PA cost?

Although not typically recommended by NicMar Water, if softening is desired in conjunction with lead remediation, it is possible to use a single ion exchange system and mix both lead and softening resins together which will yield lead free soft water.  This process however can create problematic issues and can only be only accomplished if a certain water chemistry is present.  NicMar Water’s field water specialists can help you solve even the most daunting Lead remediation water problem if you live anywhere in the York, Hanover, Gettysburg and Harrisburg areas and can determine if this is an option with a detailed analysis of your water.