High concentrations of lead in the body can be fatal. Most of the lead in drinking water comes from pipes joined using lead solder in copper plumbing. Less often, lead comes from old lead pipes connecting water mains with homes, and increasingly rarely, from lead pipes in old public water systems. In 1985 the EPA banned the use of lead in new public and private water systems and in plumbing repairs. To check for lead, look at your house's pipe joints.
Joints made of lead are a dull gray while joints that are silver are made of other materials.
Water can be tested by local water supply systems or by private laboratories.