The Lehigh County Authority is sending 43,000 letters to customers advising whether their water service lines contain lead and need to be replaced.
It’s the second year the water authority has sent letters since the Environmental Protection Agency began requiring them under its mandate to remove lead piping from American water systems by 2037.
Lead exposure is linked to neurological and developmental disorders. Efforts to remove it from households and businesses have been going on for decades. One of the main sources is lead paint, which was banned in 1978 but is still found in some older homes.
A water service line is the pipe that brings water into a home or business from the water main in the street. It includes two sections of pipe, separated by valve. The authority owns the pipe from the water main to valve and the property owner owns the pipe from the valve to the home.
The letters indicate whether water lines are made of lead, galvanized iron or steel (which contain lead), or unknown material. In case of the latter, customers can schedule a free inspection to determine the material.
“LCA is committed to ensuring every family has access to safe drinking water,” said Liesel Gross, the authority’s CEO, adding that the line replacement “is one of the largest and most important public health projects in our nation this century.”
Homeowners with lead lines can take steps to minimize exposure until their lines are replaced. They include letting faucets run for a time before using water; replacing aerators, the faucet attachments that mix air with water to create a smooth stream; and using water pitchers with filters certified to remove lead.
Customers will be informed when there is a replacement project in their neighborhood, including details about what to expect before, during and after construction. Lines will be replaced with copper, which is considered safe and durable.
The estimated cost of replacement in the authority’s service area has risen from the initial $200 million to at least $300 million, spokesperson Taylor Stakes said. A large part of the cost comes from repaving streets after pipes are replaced.
Stakes said the work so far is being paid for by federal and state grants and the authority is aggressively applying for more funds to avoid passing the cost to customers through higher rates.
The majority of lead-containing pipes are in Allentown, which has older housing stock compared with the suburban municipalities in the authority’s service area. The city is scheduled to have 1,000 lines replaced starting in January.
Allentown has a higher number of rental properties than other areas. Notification letters are sent both to the property owners and tenants but getting access to the residences can be a challenge, Stakes said. The authority has dispatched canvassers to spread the word.
“If you’re a tenant, let your property owner know you need to give access to your home,” he said.
The letters began going out last week, with the final batch expected to go out next week.