According to the Minnesota Department of Health, if your house was built before 1940, then you should let the water run for 3-5 minutes before drinking it or cooking with it. Showering is probably fine, since they recommend doing showering and running the dishwasher first as one way to let the water run before cooking.
This should especially apply if the water has been sitting in the pipes for a long time (e.g. after a holiday).
If you have a standing hot water tank it will build up with minerals and other stuff over time, it can also harbor bacteria. It’s safe for washing with, but you shouldn’t make a habit of consuming it.
Wait what’s this about hot water and lead? I love me some hot showers, is it making me dumb?
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, if your house was built before 1940, then you should let the water run for 3-5 minutes before drinking it or cooking with it. Showering is probably fine, since they recommend doing showering and running the dishwasher first as one way to let the water run before cooking.
This should especially apply if the water has been sitting in the pipes for a long time (e.g. after a holiday).
It’s to add extra flavor.
I dunno if it contains lead so much as it contains extra minerals from sitting in your waterheater.
If you have a standing hot water tank it will build up with minerals and other stuff over time, it can also harbor bacteria. It’s safe for washing with, but you shouldn’t make a habit of consuming it.