The most common cause of lead getting into drinking water is corrosion, a reaction between the water and the lead pipes or lead solder. Lead can leach into the water from the joints or from lead pipes. One factor that increases corrosion is the practice of grounding electrical equipment, such as telephones, to water pipes. Any electric current traveling throught the ground wire will accelerate the corrosion of lead in the pipes. Most well and city water does not usually contain lead.
Water can pick up lead inside the home from household plumbing that is made with lead materials.
The only way to know if there is lead in drinking water is to have it tested. Contact the local health department or the water supplier to find out how to get the water tested. Scientific data indicate that the newer the home, the greater the risk of lead contamination. Lead concentrations decrease as a building ages. This coating insulates the water from the solder.