AWWA JAW72811

Particulate lead is inadequately considered in lead certification procedures. In 2007, modification of the NSF-53 testing protocol for lead reduction, consisting of the addition of particulate lead in the NSF challenge water, resulted in cancellation of the certification of pour-through point-of-use devices. The results of this study showed that tap-mounted and under-the-sink domestic filtration devices were efficient in removing total lead (both dissolved and particulate) under the NSF reference level of 10 µg/L. However, pour-through domestic filtration devices poorly removed particulate lead, and, as a result, high lead levels remained in effluent water. This lack of efficiency is attributed to the type of filter used in pour-through devices and justifies cancellation of the NSF-53 certification for lead reduction for such devices in 2007. The results of this research also show the importance of selecting appropriate devices for lead reduction, because particulate lead can be released sporadically from lead service lines, premise plumbing, and faucets.

Includes 30 references, tables, figures.