KNOW YOUR WATER SOURCE 

• Find out if the pipes in your home or apartment building are made of lead or contain lead solder.
• Send tap water samples to your local EPA-certified laboratory for testing, or buy a water test kit.
• If your water is supplied by a public system:
  
  • Ask your supplier what chemicals and parasites are tested for and how the water is treated.
  • Obtain a Consumer Confidence Report on your water quality from your public water authority.
• If your water supply is a private well:
  • Test your water yearly for pesticides, metals, coliform bacteria and other possible contaminants.
  • Avoid using pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals near your well's supply source as they can pollute your groundwater.

IMPROVE YOUR WATER SUPPLY

• Install water treatment filters or conditioning systems.
  • Several types are available, depending on what contaminants are present.
• Consider buying a water distiller.
• Flush your pipes by running cold water for at least one minute.
• Do not use hot water from the tap for cooking or drinking, as toxins are more likely to leach into hot water.
• Make sure formula is prepared with safe water since boiling increases the lead concentration. Infants are at particular risk of lead poisoning because of the larger amount of water they consume relative to their body size.
• If necessary, install shower/faucet filters since babies can swallow water when bathing.
• Immediately dispose of household chemicals like batteries, fluorescent bulbs, used motor oil, etc., at your municipal hazardous waste depot. (Do not leave them around your home where they may contaminate your water supply.)

IMPROVE YOUR WATER SUPPLY

• Read the label of your bottled water. "Spring" water comes from one or more underground sources and some bottled water may come from a "municipal source" or from a "community water system," and may have had additional treatment.
• Avoid plastic bottles with the following recycling codes #3 PVC, #6 PS, and #7 Polycarbonate, which may leak suspected carcinogens and hormone disruptors.
• Look for safer plastic bottles, such as #1 PETE, #2 HDPE, #4 LDPE, and #5 PP.

START WITH THIS LIST (It is not designed to be all-inclusive.)

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