New US E.P.A. regulations require municipalities to replace lead water service lines
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — It’s a widely known fact – water isn’t just important, it’s vital.
There are three main water providers in the grand valley – Ute Water, Clifton Water, and City of Grand Junction.
Utilities Director Randi Kim with the city tells me the US Environmental Protection Agency released new regulations to find and replace lead pipes last year.
These service lines, some with lead, connect directly to your house.
Before the late 1980’s, lead service lines were common across the US. Grand Junction, Colorado took action earlier.
Kim tells me the City of Grand Junction passed an ordinance 1967 that changed pipe material to copper, the standard for today.
So why would the EPA pass a new regulation just last year forcing municipalities to check for and replace lead pipes? Because many still exist. The city found 85 city-owned lead lines and 47 customer-owned lead lines. It still has a thousand more to inspect.
The lead in the pipes can dissolve into flowing water especially with acidic PH. As I told you last week, the USCDWUA in Cedaredge reported this problem with elevated lead levels. As for Grand Junction, Kim says our lead levels are well below the regulatory limit of 15 parts per billion.
It’s important to note the CDC reports there are no safe levels of lead – which is why the feds are taking action.
The deadline for municipalities is October 16th, 2024.
The city of Grand Junction will inspect houses it supplies between North and South Street, and from 1st to 19th Street.
The city will soon make a map available on engagegj.org to show if your property will be inspected, as well as test results.
External Affairs Manager Andrea Lopez with Ute Water assures me their company has never used lead pipes. She tells me more lead is found on the customer’s side, in faucets and plumbing.
Andrea says Ute Water is collecting photos from customers of their service line connection point, commonly found in a crawlspace, garage, or basement.
To send in a photo, email utewaterservice.org.
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