186How does Copper get into my Drinking Water?
The major sources of copper in drinking water are corrosion of household plumbing systems; and
erosion of natural deposits. Copper enters the water (“leaches”) through contact with the plumbing.
Copper leaches into water through corrosion – a dissolving or wearing away of metal caused by a
chemical reaction between water and your plumbing.
Copper can leach into water primarily from pipes, but fixtures and faucets (brass), and fittings can
also be a source. The amount of copper in your water also depends on the types and amounts of
minerals in the water, how long the water stays in the pipes, the amount of wear in the pipes, the
water’s acidity and its temperature.
How will I know if Copper is in my Drinking Water?
If you are concerned about copper in your drinking water, have the water tested for copper by a
certified laboratory. (Lists are available from your state or local drinking water authority.) Since you
cannot see, taste, or smell copper dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of telling whether
there are harmful quantities of lead in your drinking water. You should be particularly suspicious if
your home has copper pipes.
If you see signs of corrosion (frequent leaks, rust-colored water, stained dishes or laundry, or if
your non-plastic plumbing is less than five years old. Your water supplier may have useful
information, including whether the service connector used in your home or area is made of copper.
Testing is especially important in high-rise buildings where flushing might not work.
If your water comes from a household well, check with your health department or local water
systems that use ground water for information on contaminants of concern in your area.
How will Copper be removed from my Drinking Water?
The following treatment method(s) have proven to be effective for removing copper to below the
action level of 1.3 mg/L or 1.3 ppm: corrosion control.
How do I learn more about my Drinking Water?
EPA strongly encourages people to learn more about their drinking water, and to support local
efforts to protect the supply of safe drinking water and upgrade the community water system. Your
water bill or telephone book’s government listings are a good starting point for local information.
Contact your water utility. EPA requires all community water systems to prepare and deliver an
annual consumer confidence report (CCR) (sometimes called a water quality report) for their
customers by July 1 of each year. If your water provider is not a community water system, or if you
have a private water supply, request a copy from a nearby community water system.
Copper Explained
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu (from Latin: cuprum) and atomic number 29. It
is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and
malleable; a freshly exposed surface has a reddish-orange color. It is used as a conductor of heat
and electricity, a building material, and a constituent of various metal alloys.
The metal and its alloys have been used for thousands of years. In the Roman era, copper was
principally mined on Cyprus, hence the origin of the name of the metal as сyprium (metal of Cyprus),
later shortened to сuprum.