Infants and children are particularly sensitive to elevated copper levels in water. Above this level, public water supplies must find ways to reduce copper levels in drinking water. If you have a private well, it's up to you to take action. If copper is present in your drinking water, your plumbing is likely being corroded. If you would like to examine solutions to this loss of copper from your pipes and plumbing fixtures, continue along the flowchart.
Some copper is necessary in our diets for good health.
However, too much copper can be toxic. Immediate effects of drinking water with high copper levels may include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea. Long-term exposure to high copper levels may cause kidney or liver damage in infants. Low levels of copper may also be toxic to fish and plants. Solutions to Corrosive Water Problems 19.