How Your Plumbing Can Cause Indoor Water Contamination

TL;DR: Even clean water can become contaminated after entering your home due to aging pipes, outdated plumbing materials, cross-contamination, or poor filtration maintenance. You can protect your water safety by practicing good plumbing care, like replacing old pipes, installing backflow preventers, and maintaining your filtration system.

You might assume that if water enters your house clean, it stays that way. However, your home’s plumbing system can introduce contaminants into otherwise safe water. Aging pipes, outdated materials, and poor filtration are common culprits of indoor water contamination—turning what should be safe drinking water into a potential health risk. The key is to understand how these issues arise and address them promptly.

Common Sources of Indoor Water Contamination

Aging Pipes and Plumbing Materials

Old plumbing systems can contribute significantly to plumbing contamination in NH. If your home has aging pipes made of materials like lead or galvanized steel, contaminants may leach into your water as the pipes corrode.

• Lead Pipes and Fixtures: Homes built before 1986 often used lead pipes or solder, which can release lead into drinking water. Even minimal exposure to lead poses serious health risks, especially for children.
• Galvanized Steel Pipes: Over time, galvanized pipes corrode, causing rust and sediment to build up in your water. This not only impacts taste but also introduces harmful particles.
• Brass Faucets and Fixtures: Brass often contains a small percentage of lead, which can leach into water, especially when water sits in the pipes overnight.

Cross-Contamination from Backflow

Backflow happens when there’s a sudden change in water pressure. Even though your plumbing system is designed to keep potable water and wastewater separate, when backflow occurs, contaminants from appliances like dishwashers or irrigation systems can contaminate your drinking water.

• Garden Hoses: Leaving a garden hose submerged in a pool or attached to a chemical sprayer can siphon contaminants into your home’s water supply.
• Irrigation Systems: Fertilizers and pesticides can backflow into your plumbing if proper backflow prevention devices aren’t installed.

Poorly Maintained Water Filtration Systems

If you rely on a filtration system, failing to maintain it properly can contribute to indoor water contamination. Filters clogged with sediment or bacteria lose their effectiveness and may even release contaminants back into your water.

• Expired Filters: A neglected filter can accumulate contaminants, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
• Improper Installation: An incorrectly installed filter might not seal properly, allowing unfiltered water to bypass the system entirely.
• Lack of Routine Maintenance: Without regular servicing, sediment filters, reverse osmosis systems, or UV disinfection units won’t perform as they should.

Signs of Plumbing Contamination

Recognizing signs of plumbing contamination in NH helps you address issues before they escalate. Watch for these red flags:

• Discolored Water: Rust or sediment from corroded pipes can turn water orange, brown, or yellow.
• Unpleasant Tastes or Odors: Metallic, musty, or chemical tastes and odors may indicate leaching from pipes or cross-contamination.
• Reduced Water Pressure: A drop in water pressure could signal buildup or blockages in your pipes.
• Health Symptoms: Skin irritation, upset stomach, or other unexplained health issues could point to water contamination.

You can reference this list of common water issues in NH and dive deeper into each one.

Steps to Prevent Indoor Water Contamination

Inspect and Upgrade Your Plumbing

Outdated plumbing materials are a common source of contamination. A licensed plumber can inspect your pipes and fixtures to identify potential risks.

• Replace lead pipes, solder, and fixtures with safer materials like PEX or copper.
• Upgrade galvanized steel pipes to avoid rust buildup.
• Install certified lead-free faucets and fittings.

Install Backflow Prevention Devices

Backflow prevention devices protect your drinking water from contamination caused by changes in pressure. These are especially important for irrigation systems, outdoor faucets, and appliances like dishwashers.

• Check with a plumber to ensure your home has appropriate backflow preventers installed.
• Regularly test and maintain backflow prevention devices to confirm they’re working properly.

Maintain Your Water Filtration System

Keeping your filtration system in peak condition is crucial for maintaining safe drinking water. Routine water filtration maintenance ensures your filter removes contaminants effectively and doesn’t contribute to the problem.

• Replace filters according to the manufacturer’s schedule, typically every 6-12 months.
• Clean sediment filters regularly to prevent clogs and bacteria buildup.
• Have a professional inspect your system annually, especially if you use advanced solutions like reverse osmosis or UV disinfection.

Test Your Water Regularly

Water testing isn’t just for those on private wells—municipal water can pick up contaminants from your home’s plumbing. Test your water at least once a year to monitor its quality and detect potential issues early.

• Use a certified lab to analyze your water for common contaminants like lead, bacteria, and nitrates.
• If you notice changes in taste, color, or smell, test your water immediately.

Why Indoor Water Quality Matters

Indoor water contamination can jeopardize your health and home. Lead exposure, for instance, can cause developmental issues in children and long-term organ damage in adults. Rust and sediment may not seem alarming, but they can harbor bacteria or clog plumbing fixtures, leading to costly repairs. By addressing contamination risks proactively, you’ll safeguard your family’s access to safe drinking water in NH.

Keep Your Clean Water Clean

Even if your water is clean when it enters your home, it’s not immune to contamination from aging pipes, plumbing materials, or poorly maintained filtration systems. By staying vigilant and taking preventative steps—like upgrading your plumbing, installing backflow devices, and maintaining your filters—you can protect your water from these risks.