Lead is a naturally occurring metal that has been a part of human society for thousands of years. The water industry concerns about lead pipes have evolved over decades. Today, scientists and society are more aware than in the past of the dangers posed by using lead in products such as paint, gasoline, drinking water service lines and plumbing materials.
A water service line is the pipe that runs from the water main to a home or building's internal plumbing. These pipes carry water from the city's water main into homes and buildings.
Lead was sometimes used for water service lines installed in 1960 or earlier. Aurora Water is in the process of identifying and removing these lines. If you believe you have a lead line, contact us at 720.859.4411 or LeadReplacement@auroragov.org.
Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.
EPA Lead in Drinking Water Basic information about lead in drinking water (US EPA)
(External link)
CDPHE Lead in drinking water fact sheet.pdf -- Google Drive
Aurora's water does not contain lead when it leaves the water purification facilities and travels through the water mains in the streets. However, when it travels through the water service pipes that connect from the water main on your street to the water taps in your home, it may come into contact with lead materials in the water service line and the plumbing in your home.
Aurora Water continually works to significantly reduce lead exposure risks for customers with water service lines containing lead. Aurora Water is diligent in ensuring the great water we deliver to you is carefully monitored at all points throughout the system so this doesn't happen.
Aurora Water proactively treats the water to maintain an optimal corrosion control treatment that minimizes the lead at customers' taps. When water interacts with metal, the metal can oxidize, resulting in corrosion. Aurora Water adjusts the chemistry of the water through pH/alkalinity to cause a buildup or coating on pipe walls, which reduces the amount of lead released from lead-containing pipes and fixtures. As long as this film is intact, houses with lead lead service lines pose less risk for lead in their water.
Aurora Water consistently meets all state and federal regulations for lead. Refer to our annual Water Quality Report for more information.
To further protect public health, Aurora Water is taking steps to locate and replace water service lines made of lead or galvanized steel.
Before 1960, lead was sometimes used for water service lines. Lead was commonly used in household plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, sinks, shower heads, hose bibs, etc.) and solder into the late 1980s, when it was banned. From 1986 to 2014, plumbing fixtures could contain up to 8% lead to be categorized as "lead free." However, current standards for "lead-free" fixtures allow no more than 0.25% lead content.
Water service lines made of galvanized steel may have captured tiny lead particles of if lead pipe or fittings were ever connected downstream.
The area where Aurora Water is focusing the Lead Service Line Replacement Program is among the oldest parts of Aurora and most of it was built even before Aurora had its own water department.
Most of the addresses Aurora Water is investigating are homes built in 1960 or earlier in Original Aurora, between 6th Avenue and 25th Avenue and east to west from Yosemite Street to Peoria Street.
The EPA determined that filters certified to remove lead effectively reduce it in drinking water when maintained and used correctly. However, these filters must be used properly. Aurora Water provides water filter pitchers if lead or galvanized steel is found during a service line investigation or other construction, such as meter replacements or water main projects.
The filters provided by Aurora Water are rated to remove lead when following the manufacturer's directions that are included with the filters. Please note that filters also remove chlorine, so you no longer have protection from bacteria. Be sure to keep any storage containers clean.
Use only cold water for drinking, cooking and especially for making baby formula. Hot water is likely to contain higher levels of lead. Boiling water does not remove lead and can increase the concentration as the water evaporates.
Nationally, the use of lead pipes and fittings was phased out by the 1980s and historically the burden of replacing lead pipes on private property has fallen on homeowners. The EPA has set an aggressive goal for removing all water service lines made of lead or galvanized steel to ensure all people are protected from exposure to lead in drinking water. The cost of replacing the water service lines is a barrier for many of our customers and disproportionally so for underserved areas of cities across the U.S.
Aurora Water is working toward developing a plan for replacement that will take into consideration prioritizing replacements for vulnerable populations (e.g. children and pregnant women), and communities that are underserved and experiencing poorer health outcomes compared to other parts of the city. Federal and state funding is also being explored to supplement the available financial resources for lead and galvanized steel water service line replacements.