Mahoning Valley Forum

Youngstown & The Mahoning Valley => Youngstown in General => Topic started by: jay on January 25, 2016, 06:22:16 AM

Title: Are There Any Lead Pipes In Youngstown?
Post by: jay on January 25, 2016, 06:22:16 AM
Were lead pipes ever used anywhere in the Youngstown water distribution system?

Were lead pipes ever used in residential structures?
Title: Re: Are There Any Lead Pipes In Youngstown?
Post by: jazz218 on January 25, 2016, 08:53:12 AM
It is not so much lead piping, but lead solder that was used extensively for joining pipes/fittings up until about 40 +/- years ago. The influence of lead depends on the natural corrosiveness of the water supply. Process improvement can reduce lead content, but very difficult to remove completely.

One general rule is to never drink water from hot side of faucet, as lead becomes more concentrated as water temperature rises.
Title: Re: Are There Any Lead Pipes In Youngstown?
Post by: AllanY2525 on January 27, 2016, 12:50:04 AM

A good general rule of thumb:   Buy a Brita or similar water pitcher or tank for your refrigerator.  The
activated charcoal filter cartridges in these filters can remove up to 99% of any lead, copper, etc in
your drinking water.

WSSC (our water utility in my area) uses a LOT of chemicals in their water, so I've been using one
of these Brita tanks for years - the charcoal cartridges for it cost about $8 and they last for three
months or so.

Better safe than sorry.....

:(
Title: Re: Are There Any Lead Pipes In Youngstown?
Post by: jazz218 on January 27, 2016, 08:50:40 AM
"Brita" type filters will not remove significant amounts of lead.
Title: Re: Are There Any Lead Pipes In Youngstown?
Post by: AllanY2525 on January 28, 2016, 12:47:58 AM

You are correct in that the tank/pitcher models are not designed for lead removal.


The model that mounts directly on a sink faucet is, however...it may not be perfect, but it

can still help reduce the amount of lead in your drinking water.

Now that you mentioned that fact regarding the (tank/pitcher) I may just get one of
the faucet mount models.

:)
Title: Re: Are There Any Lead Pipes In Youngstown?
Post by: Nicholas Serra on January 29, 2016, 05:58:05 PM
Looking at installing a whole house filter system. Wondering if any companies around here do it, or if i'll have to piece it together myself.
Title: Re: Are There Any Lead Pipes In Youngstown?
Post by: AllanY2525 on January 29, 2016, 11:42:00 PM

We used to have a culligan whole house water system... dunno if it took out lead, but
it pretty much removed all the city water plant chemicals.  It had a big brine tank with salt
pellets that it used to self-clean once a week.
Title: Re: Are There Any Lead Pipes In Youngstown?
Post by: Why?Town on January 30, 2016, 11:32:32 PM
Yes, I believe Colonel Mustard had the lead pipe in the library.
Title: Re: Are There Any Lead Pipes In Youngstown?
Post by: AllanY2525 on January 30, 2016, 11:48:53 PM

LOL.... Why?Town


Now I know I'm getting old... I REMEMBER that game...


:)