Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
!(v <br />leaching into the water from soldered joints. Water with a low pH can also react with copper pipes <br />to cause blue-green stains and a metallic taste.. <br />The recommended drinking water limit for pH is a level of 6.5 units or more. <br />Health effects -There are no adverse health effects at the pH levels found although it can <br />contribute to increased levels of lead and copper in severe cases. However, in the 14 sites <br />where pH was below the recommended limits, there was no associated elevated level of lead <br />or copper in the water. <br />• Remedial action -Low pH carp be remedied by installing a neutralizing treatment system <br />that will adjust the pH to a neutral level of 7. <br />Lead -Lead in well water usually is a result of the water being in contact with plumbing <br />components such as lead soldered joints or valves, pumps and fixtures that contain lead in the alloys, <br />The reconunended drinking water limit for Lead is 0.015 mg/1. <br />Comparison data for Orange County is <br />not available <br />Health effects -Lead in drinking water can cause a variety of adverse health effects. In <br />babies and children, exposure to lead in drinking water above the action level can result in <br />delays in physical and mental development, along with slight deficits in attention span and <br />learning abilities. In adults, it can cause increases in blood pressure and kidney problems. <br />• Remedial action -With elevated lead levels in water, it is recommended that children under <br />the age of six not drink the water unless a treatment system is installed. Treatment systems <br />are available that reduce the corrosive properties of the water and remove lead, <br />Page 14 of 47 <br />