Which contaminant is a heavy metal that can contaminate water through aging or damaged infrastructure?

• A. Glyphosate
• B. Atrazine
• C. Lead
• D. Microbes

Answer: (C)

Lead is a heavy metal that can contaminate drinking water when plumbing systems age or are damaged. Old pipes, solder, and fittings may contain lead and can corrode over time, especially when water chemistry is more acidic or corrosive. This leaching releases lead into the water people drink, which is a major public health concern because it can affect nervous system development in children and cause other health problems in adults. Water utilities address this by applying corrosion control, replacing lead service lines, and monitoring lead levels.

The other substances listed aren’t heavy metals and don’t share this aging infrastructure pathway. Glyphosate and atrazine are herbicides that can enter water mainly through agricultural runoff or drift, while microbes are biological contaminants that arise from sanitation issues or contamination events.