Public Works

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Marquette does not have known lead in its water mains or service lines. However, lead can enter drinking water when it is in contact with pipes, solder, home/building interior plumbing, fittings and fixtures that contain lead. Marquette’s water does have optimized corrosion control treatment to reduce lead leaching.

This summer, we collected samples from 32 homes; 6 homes were above the Action Level for lead. The sampling sites are Tier III sites which means the samples are taken in homes built with copper plumbing installed with lead solder before 1988.

We will be collecting 60 every six months and reviewing the results to determine if corrective actions are necessary to reduce corrosion in household plumbing. 

If you are a Marquette water customer and would like your service line inspected, contact the City of Marquette Utility Inspector at (906) 225-8987 or atankka@marquettemi.gov to find out how to get your water tested for lead.  You may also contact the City of Marquette Water Filtration Plant at (906) 228-0488.  Additional information available at: Michigan.gov/MiLeadSafe or Michigan.gov/EGLEleadpublicadvisory. For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s Web site at Epa.gov/lead, call the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-LEAD, or contact your healthcare provider. You can also call the DHHS Drinking Water Hotline at 844-934-1315.

Public Education materials, which provide guidance on reducing potential exposure to lead, are available here.

Sources of Lead

Lead is a common metal found in the environment. Drinking water is one possible source of lead exposure due to the widespread use of lead in plumbing materials. EPA estimates that drinking water can make up 20 percent or more of a person’s potential exposure to lead. Infants who consume mostly mixed formula can receive 40 percent to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water.

The action level is 12 parts per billion (ppb) for lead and 1.3 parts per million (ppm) for copper. The action level is a measure of corrosion control effectiveness. It is not a health-based standard. To meet the requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule, 90 percent of the samples collected must be below the action level. The following table summarizes the lead and copper data collected during the most recent monitoring period:

Lead can enter drinking water when pipes, solder, home/building interior plumbing, fittings and fixtures that contain lead corrode. Corrosion is the dissolving, or wearing away, of metal caused by a chemical reaction between water and your plumbing. Several factors affect the amount of lead that enters the water, including the water quality characteristics (acidity and alkalinity), the amount of lead in the pipes, plumbing and/or fixtures, and the frequency of water use in the home.

Some plumbing products such as service lines, pipes and fixtures may contain lead. The infographic below demonstrates where sources of lead in drinking water could be in your home. Older homes may have more lead unless the service line and/or plumbing has been replaced.  Homes built…

• Before the 1960s are more likely to have lead service lines, lead pipes, fixtures, and/or solder that contain lead.
• Before 1988 are likely to have fixtures and/or solder that contains lead.
• Between 1996 and 2014 are likely to have fixtures that contain up to eight percent lead but were labelled “lead-free.”
• In 2014 or later still have potential lead exposure. “Lead free” was redefined to reduce lead content to a maximum of 0.25 percent lead in fixtures and fittings. Fixtures that are certified to meet NSF Standard 61 meet this more restrictive definition of “lead free.”

Leaded solder and leaded fittings and fixtures are still available in stores to use for non-drinking water applications. Be careful to select the appropriate products for repairing or replacing drinking water plumbing in your home.

Galvanized plumbing can be a potential source of lead. Galvanized plumbing can absorb lead from upstream sources like a lead service line. Even after the lead service line has been removed, galvanized plumbing can continue to release lead into drinking water over time. Homes that are served by a lead service line should consider replacing galvanized plumbing inside the home.

Drinking water is only one source of lead exposure. Other common sources of lead exposure are lead-based paint, and lead-contaminated dust or soil. Because lead can be carried on hands, clothing, and/or shoes, sources of exposure to lead can include the workplace and certain hobbies. Wash your children’s hands and toys often as they can come in contact with dirt and dust containing lead. In addition, lead can be found in certain types of pottery, pewter, food, and cosmetics. If you have questions about other sources of lead exposure, please contact Wayne County Department of Health, Human & Veteran Services, Public Health Community Hotline 866-610-3885.

Particulate Lead

Lead results can vary between tests. A single test result is not a reliable indicator of drinking water safety. Two different types of lead can be present in drinking water, soluble lead and particulate lead. Soluble lead is lead that dissolves because of a chemical reaction between water and plumbing that contains lead. Particulate lead is dislodged scale and sediment released into the water from the sides of the plumbing and can vary greatly between samples. Disturbances, such as replacing a water meter, construction and excavation activities, or home plumbing repairs can cause particulates to shake free from inside pipes and plumbing. Particulate lead is a concern because the lead content can be very high. Lead particulate could be present in a single glass of water but not present in water sampled just before or after. During construction, monthly aerator cleaning and using a filter certified to reduce lead are recommended to reduce particulate lead exposure.

Check whether your home has a lead service line.

Homes with lead service lines have an increased risk of having high lead levels in drinking water. Marquette does not have known lead in its water mains or service lines.

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Your Water

1. Run your water to flush out lead. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Therefore, if your water has not been used for several hours, run the water before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes lead-containing water from the pipes. 

• If you do not have a lead service line, run the water for 30 seconds to two minutes, or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature.
• If you do have a lead service line, run the water for at least five minutes to flush water from both the interior building plumbing and the lead service line.
• Additional flushing may be required for homes that have been vacant or have a longer service line. Your water utility can help you determine if longer flushing times are needed.

2. Everyone can consider using a filter to reduce lead in drinking water. MDHHS recommends that residents use a certified lead-reducing drinking water filter if their home has or if they are uncertain if it has one of the following:

• Lead or galvanized plumbing.
• A lead service line carrying water from the street to their residence.
• Copper plumbing with lead solder before 1988 (EGLE recommendation).
• Old faucets and fittings that were sold before 2014.

Use the filter until you are able to remove sources of household lead plumbing, such as:

• Replace pre-2014 faucets.
• Get a lead inspection and replace needed plumbing.
• Look for filters that are tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction and NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for particulate reduction (Class I).  Some filter options include a pour-through pitcher or faucet-mount systems. If the label does not specifically mention lead reduction, check the Performance Data Sheet included with the device. Be sure to maintain and replace the filter device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to protect water quality. 

3. Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water.

4. Use cold water for preparing baby formula. Do not use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula. MDHHS recommends using bottled water or a filter certified to reduce lead to prepare baby formula.

5. Boiling water does not remove lead from water. Filter cold water, then boil the filtered water as necessary.

6. Consider purchasing bottled water. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water. The bottled water standard for lead is 5 ppb.

7. Get your child tested. Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about exposure. Contact the Marquette County Health Department at (906) 475-4195.

8. Identify older plumbing fixtures that likely contain lead. Older faucets, fittings, and valves sold before 2014 may contain higher levels of lead, even if marked “lead-free.” Faucets, fittings, and valves sold after January 2014 are required to meet a more restrictive “lead-free” definition but may still contain up to 0.25 percent lead. When purchasing new plumbing materials, it is important to look for materials that are certified to meet NSF standard 61. The EPA prepared a brochure that explains the various markings that can indicate that materials meet the new “lead free” definition: https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi?Dockey=P100LVYK.txt.

9. Clean your aerator. The aerator on the end of your faucet is a screen that will catch debris. This debris could include particulate lead. The aerator should be removed at least every six months to rinse out any debris.

10. Test your water for lead. Contact the City of Marquette Utility Inspector (atankka@marquettemi.gov) at (906) 225-8987 or the City of Marquette Water Filtration Plant at (906) 228-0488 to find out how you can get your water tested for lead.

The full notice issued by the City of Marquette on August 12, 2025 can be found online here.