Water Drinking Challenge!

Something about hot water deing able to dissolve the minerals from the pipes into the water, whereas cold water doesn't (like trying to dissolve sugar - hot water works best). That's just what I've heard anyway.

EDIT: I just fond this - I guess the major concern would be if the pipes in your water system were in place before 1989. Though cold water seems to be the same, so I'm more confused now than before I looked this up! :-S

Study by:
LEAD Action News vol 8 no 1 2000 ISSN 1324-6011
The journal of The LEAD (Lead Education and Abatement Design) Group Inc.

Lead in Drinking Water in Australia
Hazards associated with lead based solder on pipes

In Australia, little is heard about drinking water as a source of lead poisoning, probably because – unlike Europe and the US – lead pipe plumbing is not widespread in Australian homes. The late Lead Reference Centre (a section of NSW Environment Protection Authority devoted to lead policy and education from 1997-9) has not even devoted a fact sheet to the subject. Nevertheless, it may be an issue worth investigating if your home was built prior to the 1930’s, when copper pipes replaced lead pipes.

The main concern, however, arises out of the common use of lead based solder on brass fittings and copper pipes up until as recently as 1989. As a result of corrosion, there is a potential for the lead to leach into the water after prolonged contact. It is therefore the consumption of first flush water – the first cup of tea in the morning – which presents a hazard.

This was demonstrated in a study conducted by Dr Brian Gulson, in 1992 in the Sydney suburbs of Turramurra, Burwood, and Epping and in Broken Hill in the far west of New South Wales. The study revealed that the lead levels in first flush tap water in many cases exceeded the acceptable level.

Further studies conducted in Perth (WA) in 1993 on cold water from kitchen taps have indicated that 5% of samples were above the acceptable lead level as defined by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), 2% were above the limit for cadmium and 12% above the limit for copper.

The maximum acceptable level of lead (and other heavy metals) in drinking water has been established by the NHMRC in the "Australian Drinking Water Guidelines" at 0.01 mg/L (lowered from 0.05 mg/L). And yes, as your plumber should be able to tell you, the use of lead based solder on drinking water pipes has been banned in Australia since 1989.

Legal framework: Standards and Regulations…
The Australian Standard AS 3500 Part 1.2 (1998) 'National Plumbing and Drainage – Water Supply – Acceptable Solutions' effectively prohibits the use of lead based solders by providing that soft solder shall "not contain more than 0.1% lead by weight". This requirement was adopted in the 'Plumbing and Drainage Code of Practice’ and given its legal force by its inclusion in Water Authorities regulations. In Sydney for example, it is in the 'Sydney Water Corporation (Plumbing and Drainage) Regulation (1995)', section 4.

The manufacturers of lead solder are under no obligation to label their product as unsuitable for use on drinking water pipes. So beware of the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) plumber jobs!

There is also a standard pertaining to the lead content of taps (and other water supplies), currently allowing up to 4.5% lead as an alloying element in brasses used in potable water supply.

LMAO Sarah I wouldn't be drinking hot water from your pipes lately ;) I kid ;)

*hugs*
Cailin

ROFL too true Cailin, too true!

OH well (thanks for the lead info Alisia) that explains my eccentric behaviour! I must have lead poisoning ;) ....nah, most of my life I have lived in fairly new houses with newish pipes... this house is older but I think the pipes were replaced during the renovation (don't when that was, been several)... and I don't want to sound complacent but I don't think I'm going to worry too much. The bigger picture of my life kinda indicates that my exposure to lead over my lifetime has probably been a lot lower than the average person. Lived in many country towns with cleaner air etc. Apparently sitting in a car driving around a city is one of the most toxic things the average person does and i don't drive! probably not as many fumes on a train which i catch nearly every day as my main form of transport. Anyhow, sorry to rave, I'm probably just desperate to consol myself (and other hot tap water drinkers)... I'd say there are many worse things you can do in life :) But I'll keep it in mind all the same.

ETA: easily made my 2L goal yesterday... stopped at 6pm... no peeing issue overnight :)

750ml so far for me.
thats how much my water bottle holds, and I've decided to limit myself to 2 bottles at work (1.5) and to have the rest at home, with dinner.

Hey All
I just woke up, so havent had any water yet, hehe, but i will sooon :)
I just wanted to add something else ive read. You might all already know this, but its said to add an extra glass of water per cup of coffee/tea you drink. Ummm i dont exactly know why that is...probably the caffein or something, but i thought id add it for who ever might want to do that...

caffeine is a diuretic so it can dehydrate you, I'd say that why the water recommendation has been made.

Thought so rayray, thanks hehe :)

Yep, I heard about that with caffeine... probably applies to coke etc as well, but I never drink that.

Yesterday I actually drank a little over 2L of water but I drank 2 cups of coffee, 1 cup of tea and a glass of wine (alcohol is also dehydrating) so I figure that this means my real intake was probably a little less that 2L after having to make up for the non water drink rehydrations.

Thats ok Bath, we can count the shower ;)

LOL I can see I will never live this down! At the next BB meetup I just know when the waiter comes around for us to order drinks someone will no doubt pipe up and say "Oh and Bath will have a glass of shower water thanks". LOL:redface:

LOL Bath!!

well theres my 1.5L done :) yay.
And I feel great having had no coffee since last Friday too!

Well done :clap:

600mls done so far, 100mls more than yesterday :)

1.3L down - and craving caffeine big time - i've been such a good girl and had hardly any caffeine the past few days - might be time to splurge on a can of coke!

Yesterday 2lt , feeling proud of myself

I get a big headache if i don't have my one coffee of the day...

Yesterday i managed more than 1.5L but less than 2L. TOday i'll aim higher :)

My GP doubled my thyroxine yesterday too so maybe i'll stop wilting and get my brain back now.....

Bx