Latest news with #LeadandCopperRule
CBS News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
EPA lifts 2016 emergency order on drinking water in Flint
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Monday it was lifting an emergency order on Flint's drinking water that was implemented nine years ago. The agency issued the order in January 2016 in response to the city's water crisis. On Monday, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the city completed all requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). "Lifting this emergency order is a cause for great celebration for residents of Flint who worked so hard and sacrifice so much to get to this point," said Zeldin, who visited Flint shortly after he was named administrator. "Even though the emergency order is lifted, all levels of government must continue to stay in contact and work closely to be a continued resource for the Flint community and ensure their water remains pristine." The lift comes more than 10 years after the city experienced lead-contaminated drinking water, which affected thousands of residents. The EPA says that after issuing the order, the city of Flint and the State of Michigan worked with the federal agency to meet all of the requirements. Part of the order included regular water testing. In 2024, the city agreed to an administrative consent order with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to ensure compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule and SDWA. Some requirements included increasing staff and constructing a backup pipeline from the Genesee County Drain Commission to the Flint public water system. That same year, the city unveiled an upgraded water facility to the public. The city says it has replaced over 97% of the lead pipes. Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said the lift is a "powerful testament to the strength and advocacy of Flint residents." "For nearly a decade, we have worked tirelessly to restore trust and integrity to our water system, as well as meeting rigorous standards. While this milestone marks progress, our commitment to clean, safe drinking water remains unwavering," Neeley said in a news release. "We will continue to advance infrastructure, strengthen safeguards, and ensure that the mistakes of the past are never repeated. Flint families deserve nothing less." NOTE: The video above previously aired on April 25, 2024.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Goshen to host open house on free utility service line replacement, northside infrastructure upgrades
GOSHEN — The city of Goshen invites residents to learn more about a free water service line replacement program and upcoming infrastructure improvements in Northside neighborhoods at an informational open house this coming Tuesday. The event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at Chamberlain Elementary School, 428 N. Fifth St. Attendees can drop in at their convenience to ask questions and speak with Goshen's engineering and water experts. The project, funded through a combination of state grants and low-interest loans, will replace up to 458 galvanized water service lines and lead goosenecks in select neighborhoods, including Dickerson Landing, Northside, Riverside, Wilden Avenue, and Clinton-Berkey — at no cost to homeowners. WHY? In fall 2024, the EPA updated its Lead and Copper Rule, requiring water systems nationwide to replace lead service lines. While Goshen has not found lead service lines, some older galvanized steel lines are connected to short lead goosenecks, which can accumulate lead particles over time. Though regular testing has never shown lead contamination above federal standards, the city is proactively working to eliminate any potential risk. By replacing outdated service lines, the project will ensure cleaner, safer water, improve water flow and pressure, and enhance Goshen's aging infrastructure. 'This is an important investment in our community's water system,' said Jamey Bontrager-Singer, Utilities city engineer. 'We encourage all affected homeowners to attend, ask questions, and take advantage of this free upgrade.' NORTHSIDE UPGRADES In addition to replacing service lines, the Northside neighborhood will receive significant infrastructure upgrades, including new sidewalks, road repairs, and utility enhancements. 'We're not just replacing pipes — we're investing in the long-term sustainability of our neighborhoods,' said Mayor Gina Leichty. 'This project modernizes our infrastructure while improving quality of life for residents.' NEXT STEPS Homeowners in these neighborhoods must sign a property owner agreement to authorize the service line replacement. Tuesday's open house will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more and complete the necessary paperwork. For more information, contact: Jamey Bontrager-Singer at jameybsinger@ or 574-537-3830.
CBS News
29-01-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Here's why you got a letter about lead water pipes in your Philadelphia home — and what you should do next
Scott O'Hara was confused when he first opened a letter from the Philadelphia Water Department stating he may have lead water service lines coming into his South Philly home. "What are our options?" he said. "There's not a whole lot of information." O'Hara and his partner Carly Agre say they worry about the potential health risk for their young son. They have a filter installed on their kitchen sink until they're able to learn more about the material of their service line. "Mostly just because we have a toddler," Agre said. "Just knowing how dangerous lead exposure could be, we just wanted to take the extra precaution." The letter was one of half a million recently mailed out in Philadelphia alone. So why did you receive one and what should you do about it? Under new federal requirements, water utilities must now notify residents about the possibility of lead in their water service line — the pipe that connects your home to the water main. It's the latest move in an effort to eliminate lead from drinking water in response to the Flint, Michigan, water crisis in 2014, said Stephanie Wein, a clean water advocate with the environmental group PennEnvironment. "We do know a century ago, and before, lead was the standard, so it's reasonable to expect a lot of homes would still be served by lead service lines," Wein said. "Lead is a potent neurotoxin and poses a huge developmental risk, especially to babies and young children." Municipalities must also find, dig up and replace all lead pipes within the next decade in order to be compliant with these federal regulations, known as the Lead and Copper Rule. In Philadelphia, the city says it has never used lead for its water mains but the service lines that bring water from the main to customers' properties may contain lead. "This is part of an extensive, nationwide effort," said Brian Rademaekers, the Philadelphia Water Department's spokesperson. "The big challenge for us here in Philadelphia and across the country is that piece of pipe, that piece of plumbing, is owned by the customer." If you do have a lead line, the city maintains its corrosive control treatments help protect your water as they've been shown to keep lead levels below federal standards in 90% or more of the city's homes. Residents in Philadelphia can see if their property is connected through a lead service line by searching their address in this interactive map the city released last fall. There's just one problem: The material of most of the city's service lines remains a mystery. "The reason that so many are unknown is because we need to be able to see inside the house, under the sidewalk and under the street, so three different sections of that pipe need to be examined," Rademaekers said. Rademaekers estimates roughly one in every 20 properties — that's 5% — might have a lead service line. The Philadelphia Water Department can test your water for free to determine if you have lead pipes. He said the city is compiling its inventory through historical records, meter upgrades and resident reporting. The cost to replace a lead service line can be upward of $10,000, according to Robert Ballenger, an attorney specializing in utilities at Community Legal Services. The federal government has allocated more than $25 billion for lead pipe replacement, but the EPA estimates the cost nationally could eclipse $45 billion. Ballenger says more federal and state support is needed. "It's in the thousands of dollars to replace a lead service line," Ballenger said. "The question is how does a city pay for that? And my concern is that like many of the projects the city is doing that relate to our water infrastructure, that this is going to fall on the backs of rate payers." Rademaekers says Philadelphia is working to secure more grants and bonds but admits rate increases are possible. "Even the cost of creating this inventory and putting that map out there and mailing out those letters, that's an expensive proposition and it is something that is paid for through rates," he said. "It's one of many different obligations that we're juggling right now." For now, it falls on the property owner to cover the cost to replace a lead service line, unless it's connected to a water main that's already being replaced or repaired. The city offers interest-free loans to property owners for lead service line replacement. In the meantime, the city and health advocates urge those living at one of the hundreds of thousands of "unknown" addresses to take precautions, like using a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified filter, only using cold water for cooking and drinking, and flushing pipes regularly. "Before you have that first glass of water or fill up your coffee pot in the morning, first run that tap," Wein said. "That way any of that stagnant water that sat overnight, that's all flushed out, and that's the best way to ensure in case there is lead in the system that you're moving that out."
