By Bella Timmerding
Lexington’s Public Works Department, in response to updated EPA rules, is surveying residents to figure out how many homes have lead pipes.
Lead pipes were banned in 1986, but many older homes still have them. Erosion of those pipes contributes to higher levels of lead in the public water system.
Lexington’s water complies with EPA standards on lead, according to the annual report done by Commonwealth Environmental, a Richmond-based environmental testing company. But the 2023 report showed a slight increase in lead levels, suggesting the erosion of household pipes and lead in the environment. The 2023 report showed 3.9 parts per billion, up from 1.0 parts per billion in 2022.
According to the Water Education Foundation, 1.0 parts per billion is equal to 1.0 microgram per liter of water.
“One part per billion is roughly equivalent to a single drop of water in a 10,000-gallon swimming pool,” said Patrick Madigan, Lexington’s Director of Public Works.
While Lexington’s water complies, the EPA requires cities to notify the public and begin replacing service lines if lead levels are above 15 parts per billion.
The EPA recently revised the 2014 regulations on lead and copper pipes which grew out of the water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan. The city’s water caused lead poisoning in nearly 10,000 residents. The new regulations require lead pipes within the city-owned portion of the system to be removed within 10 years of discovery.
Homeowners were notified about the survey through a letter included with the monthly water bill. “We do not know of any lead pipes in our distribution system,” but older homes may have lead pipes or pipes joined with lead solder, the letter said.
If homeowners report they have lead pipes, Madigan said the city will check the pipes to confirm the presence of lead. The city could apply for a state grant to help replace the outdated pipes, Madigan said.
In May, Virginia got $49 million in federal funds to replace lead pipes. This funding is expected to replace up to 1.7 million lead pipes. According to the Virginia Department of Health’s website, homeowners with lead pipes can apply for assistance to replace them. Residents with questions can contact the department’s field office in Lexington.
Lexington has until November 15 to submit a report on the number of lead pipes to the EPA.
Lead is a toxic metal that occurs in the environment. And it’s found in paint and pipes in older homes. The metal can accumulate over time and can cause serious health issues including hearing loss, anemia, kidney impairment, immune system dysfunction and even lower children’s IQ levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The city water department letter included a picture and description of different pipe materials to help residents identify the type of plumbing in their homes. Homeowners can do this by looking at pipe connections, which are typically in the basement. The city’s letter told homeowners to replace any old pipes, including galvanized and lead plumbing.
Homeowners can complete the lead pipe survey at:
https://www.lexingtonva.gov/government/departments/public-works/water-service-line-inventory
The EPA provides more information on lead pipes at:
https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-sources-lead#homeleadsafe
The Virginia Department of Health provides more information at: