Lead Pipes and Older Plumbing: What Brighton Homeowners Can Check Themselves
Lead in drinking water almost always comes from plumbing, not from the water treatment plant. Knowing what your pipes are made of is the first step.
Call (720) 794-0054What the city's report says
The City of Brighton's 2023 water quality report says lead is not found in the water after treatment, and that the concern comes from old plumbing. It lists a 90th percentile lead result of 2 parts per billion against an action level of 15 parts per billion. Copper results were also below the action level.
Those numbers describe sampling across the system. They do not tell you what your own pipe is made of. The only way to know is to check.
Where lead can show up
Possible sources in a home
| Source | Era | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Service line from the street | Older lines | Look at the pipe near the meter or entry |
| Galvanized pipe downstream of lead | Older houses | Magnet test |
| Old solder on copper joints | Before the 1986 federal ban | Ask a plumber or test the water |
| Brass fixtures and valves | Varies | Replace old fixtures if testing shows a problem |
| Lead goosenecks and connectors | Older homes | Look at the pipe near the meter |
Not all of these exist in every house. A newer home with PEX and modern fixtures has far fewer concerns. Age is a clue, not a diagnosis.
The two-minute pipe check
- Find where water entersLook near the meter or the main valve in the basement or utility room.
- Scratch the pipe gentlyUse a key. Lead shows shiny silver and is soft. Copper shows orange. Galvanized steel is gray and hard.
- Try a magnetA magnet sticks to galvanized steel. It does not stick to lead or copper.
- Photograph the pipeInclude a coin for scale.
- Share the photoSend it to the utility or tell the plumber when you call.
Do not file or sand the pipe. Scratching lightly is enough, and you should wash your hands afterward.
Found something that looks like lead?
Photograph it and call. The dispatcher can talk through replacement options.
Test the water if you are concerned
A certified lab can test a water sample for lead. Follow the lab's sampling instructions closely, because the timing of the sample changes the result. Your utility may offer testing or point you to a lab. Until you know, run the cold tap for a minute after the water has sat for hours. Draw cold water for drinking and cooking. A filter certified for lead can add another layer. See water filtration installation.
Replacing a lead or galvanized line
The service line to the house is a replacement project. Ownership depends on where your meter sits. Read water line repair and replacement for how ownership works and what the options are. Interior galvanized pipe corrodes and narrows. If your house still has it, a larger project may make more sense than spot repairs. See repiping.
Questions to ask before you buy an older home
- What is the service line made of, and who knows?
- Has any plumbing been replaced, and when?
- Is there galvanized steel anywhere in the house?
- Has the water been tested for lead?
- Is there rust-colored water or low pressure?
Ask the seller for records and your inspector to check the entry pipe. A plumber can add more detail.
What not to do
Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling does not remove it and can concentrate it. Do not assume a clear glass means safe water. Lead cannot be seen or tasted. If you have young children or a pregnancy in the house, talk to your health provider and the utility. They can advise on testing and filters.
Why old plumbing matters more than treatment
Utilities treat water to control corrosion so metals stay in the pipe rather than dissolving into the water. That protection works best when a system is steady. Changes in water chemistry, long periods of stagnation or disturbed pipes can raise the risk in a particular home.
Stagnation is the factor homeowners can influence. Water that sits in a pipe overnight or while you travel spends hours in contact with the metal. Flushing the cold tap before drinking after a long absence moves that water out.
What to do while you decide
Finding an old pipe does not mean you must act this week. It means you should make a plan. Photograph the pipe, note where it enters the house and write down the date. That record is useful for the utility, for a buyer and for the plumber.
In the meantime, small habits cut exposure. Use cold water for drinking and cooking, since hot water pulls more metal from plumbing. Run the cold tap for a minute after the water has sat for several hours. Clean the screen on each faucet, because debris can trap particles.
If you are buying an older house, add the entry pipe to your inspection list. If you are selling, a clear photo of a copper entry pipe answers a common question before it is asked. When a lead or galvanized line is confirmed, the options are laid out on the water line repair and replacement page and in the repiping guide for interior pipe. Replacement is a planned project, and it is easier to schedule than to rush.
Fixtures, faucets and filters
Even in a home with copper pipe, older brass faucets and valves can contribute small amounts of lead. Fixtures sold today meet stricter limits. If you have kitchen faucets from the era before those limits, replacing them is a modest job. See faucet and sink repair.
When you choose a filter, read the certification on the package. Look for a statement that it is certified to reduce lead, and check which fixtures the model covers. A pitcher filter, an under-sink filter and a whole-house system are different tools. A whole-house system treats every tap, while an under-sink unit treats drinking water only.
Replace cartridges on schedule. A spent cartridge stops working and can give a false sense of safety.
Sources
Local facts on this page come from public documents.
Quick answers
The city's 2023 report says lead is not found in the water after treatment and that the concern is from old plumbing.
A key scratch and a magnet test help. Lead is soft and shiny when scratched and is not magnetic.
Many owners choose to. Ask the utility about its inventory and any programs.
Filters certified for lead can reduce it. Check the certification and replace cartridges on time.
Running cold water for a bit after long periods of non-use can help clear standing water.
Replace the pipe, not just worry about it
Call to talk through service line or interior replacement.