Orange County Utilities is committed to providing safe and reliable drinking water for residents and guests in its service area. We have been testing for lead for years and consistently meet or exceed all federal regulations regarding lead, copper, and other contaminants. Source water from the Floridan Aquifer is treated with chlorine to remove contaminants and produce clean drinking water that is distributed to local homes, businesses, and schools through our well-maintained network of pipes. We regularly assess and invest in our infrastructure to ensure our water system is clean, safe, and reliable for years to come.

It’s important to understand that our source water and water supply facilities are lead free and no lead pipes have been found in our water distribution system. Test results from water sampling throughout the system have confirmed that our water treatment processes are effective. However, lead in household plumbing can dissolve into water and contaminate drinking water at the tap. Houses built before 1990 are most at risk for lead in their plumbing.

Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney or nervous system problems.

For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home or building and the health effects of lead, visit the EPA’s website: www.epa.gov/safewater/lead or contact your health provider.

Flush stagnant water from your tap before using it.

• If the tap has not been used for several hours, run the water for 15-30 seconds (or until it becomes cold) before using it for drinking or cooking.

Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking or cooking.

• Boiling water does not reduce lead levels.
• Do not use hot water from the tap when preparing baby formula.

Use a water filter.

• Maintain the device and replace the filter as instructed.
• Make sure the water filter is approved for reducing lead. Contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 or visit www.nsf.org for more information about your filter.

Find other sources of drinking water.

Running water to flush any stagnant lines is a cheap and effective way to reduce potential exposure to lead. The cost is usually less than $1 per month. For more cost savings, fill a couple bottles with drinking water after running the tap so you get more use out of each flushing. You can also keep the flushed water and use it for plants, cleaning, or other purposes that do not involve cooking or drinking.

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• NSF International

For years, Orange County Utilities has monitored for lead in tap water samples through a rigorous sampling and testing program. Our FDEP-approved sampling plan monitors the tap water of customers willing to participate in the Tap Water Program. Customers are provided with sample bottles, instructions for collecting the sample, and a date for pick up. Orange County Utilities returns on that date to pick up the sample. The Orange County Utilities Environmental Laboratory tests for the presence of lead in the sample and provides the data to the customer and the FDEP. Additionally, the compiled results are published every year in the Annual Drinking Water Report.

At this time, grants and other funding sources have not been identified for county homeowners who want to replace lead pipes at their home. Orange County is researching federal and state grants that may be available in the future and will provide information to residents when details are available.