Metro Water Services takes our responsibility to protect customers from lead exposure and other contaminants seriously. We take every precaution to ensure that the water delivered to each customer is of the highest quality possible and meets all Federal and State drinking water standards.
Nashville’s drinking water does not contain lead when it leaves the treatment plants but tap water can accumulate trace amounts of lead through the corrosion of plumbing materials containing lead.
Prior to the mid 1950’s it was common for plumbers to use lead pipe for service lines to connect a residence to the public water main. Additionally, lead soldering was used on copper pipe until 1988 and brass fixtures may contain lead as well. Insufficient historic record keeping prevents us from knowing an exact number of lead service lines remaining in our system and the type of plumbing material and fixtures utilized within a private residence is unknown to us.
Fortunately, we have had an intense corrosion control program since 1987 to prevent the possibility of lead leaching into your water. A blended food-grade phosphate solution, safe for drinking water, is added to the finished water.
The combination of ortho/poly phosphate reacts to inhibit corrosion of water mains; tie-up nuisance metals; and remove scale deposits in pipes by bonding to the walls of pipes and forming a protective barrier.
More information about Preventing Lead in Your Drinking Water is available in this printable Lead Information brochure.