What homes are at high risk of having lead contamination through the pipes?
Homes that were constructed prior to 1986 with copper plumbing and lead solder, or homes that contain any lead piping, are considered the highest risk. Although use of lead as a plumbing material did occur in some parts of the United States through the early 1900s, to Puyallup Water’s knowledge, little or if any lead pipe was used in the Puyallup area.

If you choose to test your plumbing for lead we have listed a few local drinking water laboratories that are certified by the Washington State Department of Ecology:
Spectra Analytical Inc.
2221 Ross Way
Tacoma, WA 98421
Phone: 253-272-4850

Water Management Laboratories
1515 80th Street E
Tacoma, WA 98404
Phone: 253-531-3121

Show All Answers

1. How does lead get into people’s drinking water?
2. How do high levels of lead in the water affect people?
3. What went wrong with the water in Flint, Michigan in 2014 and 2015?
4. How does Puyallup Water help prevent lead from getting into people’s drinking water?
5. What is Puyallup Water’s process for testing for lead and who sets the rules for that?
6. When did Puyallup Water start testing for lead and why?
7. How does Puyallup Water report lead findings to customers?
8. Who regulates our water supply?
9. Are those regulations protective enough?
10. Who oversees trends in our area’s public health or has access to track lead levels in children in our area? What are they reporting?
11. Are there inherent differences between Flint’s water supply and Puyallup’s water supply?
12. If I’m concerned about lead in my water, what can I do?
13. What homes are at high risk of having lead contamination through the pipes?