Why does flushing the water before drinking make it safe?

Lead can enter drinking water when it comes in contact with pipes or plumbing fixtures that have lead service lines or internal plumbing made with lead. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. The most important thing you can do is run your water for at least 5 minutes before you drink, cook, or use your water washing fruits and/or vegetables.

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1. What is lead?
2. How can I be exposed to lead?
3. How does lead get into the water supply?
5. What should I do if I’m concerned about lead in my drinking water?
6. Why does flushing the water before drinking make it safe?
7. What are some of the health problems lead can cause?
8. Where can I get my child’s blood tested for lead?
9. What does an "elevated blood lead level" mean?
10. Should I have my child tested for lead?
11. What does the data show about children with elevated blood lead levels?
12. Where can I go to get my water tested?
13. Will it cost me anything to get my water tested for lead?
14. How was lead in the water discovered?
15. What is being done to solve this problem?
16. What else is the Berrien County Health Department doing?
17. What is a lead service line?
19. What about restaurants in the City of Benton Harbor? What are the recommendations?
20. Where can I go to find more information?