Phoenix warns of potential exposure to lead in water pipes. What to know

The Phoenix Water Department sent letters to residents this week warning them of potential lead exposure in pipes, but city officials said that was unlikely and residents should not be alarmed. .

The city examined 98% of its water pipes and found no lead pipes, but some were galvanized steel that “may have absorbed lead” and others were designated “unknown,” according to the letters .

Exposure to lead in drinking water “can cause serious health effects in all age groups,” the letters state.

The service line investigations were prompted by rule changes at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA revised its lead and copper rule in 2021 to “significantly reduce exposure to lead in drinking water,” according to the agency’s website. The revision required water suppliers to study their systems and submit plans to replace lead pipes or designated galvanized or unknown pipes.

The rule revisions affect water systems nationwide. Residents of other Valley towns should be notified in the coming month. The EPA has given water suppliers a deadline to notify customers within 30 days of completing their inventory. Stocks were expected on October 16.

Surprise is a town whose residents will not receive a letter this week.

After analyzing more than 25,000 water connections in the city over the past six months, water officials said none of the pipes were made of lead.

The majority of Surprise’s water pipe system is made of PVC and ductile iron, said Water Resources Management Director Mike Boule. Such pipeline materials, he said, do not pose health risks like lead, which the EPA targets.

In Glendale, about 2,000 city water customers will receive a letter explaining that the lead status of their service lines is listed as “unknown.” That compares to 62,000 service lines that were found to be free of lead.

Approximately 7,500 Mesa residents will be informed of the “unknown” status of the pipes.

Scottsdale also found no lead pipes, but had some designated as unknown. Residents will receive letters by Nov. 14, officials said.

Here’s what you need to know.

Have you really been exposed to lead? ‘Extremely’ unlikely, city says

Arizona banned lead pipes in 1988, and the EPA’s lead and copper rule has been in effect since 1991, meaning water suppliers must maintain low lead concentrations in accordance with regulations. .

Deputy Water Utilities Director Jim Swanson said the risk to Phoenix residents was “extremely low because we did not find any lead service lines.”

Galvanized pipes pose a risk to human health “because the zinc coating corrodes over time, potentially leaking lead particles into the galvanized service line,” according to the city’s website. But Swanson said Phoenix got rid of lead pipes a long time ago, so there would be no sources of lead that could leach.

“If there has been lead exposure, then that exposure has been below the federal requirements for that lead exposure. We have never exceeded the standard for lead,” Swanson said.

What if my service line was galvanized or unknown?

The Phoenix Water Services Department plans to replace the galvanized pipes starting in early 2025, the letters state. Residents will not be charged for replacements.

The city plans to immediately contact customers whose status is unknown to continue the investigation. The EPA requires the city to continue sending annual letters to residents of lead, galvanized or unknown-status pipes until they are replaced, Swanson said.

According to the letters, “it will take several years to complete this work.”

What are the health risks of lead?

The EPA lists:

Decreased IQ and attention span of infants and children.
New or exacerbated learning and behavior problems.
Increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems in adults.

“Children of women exposed to lead before or during pregnancy may be at increased risk of these adverse health effects,” the letter states.

Why were some pipes “unknown”?

The lines were designated “unknown” in cases where the Water Department could not access the service line to investigate, Swanson said. In some cases this arose from complications relating to private property; in other cases, vehicles or bulk trash may have prevented the city from investigating, he said.

In Glendale, city officials said they may need to dig a hole about 12 inches wide within 18 inches of the home’s foundation, to confirm that the “unknown” lines are lead-free .

How can I reduce my exposure to lead?

Phoenix water officials recommended:

Use a filter certified to remove lead.
Clean your aerator.
Use cold water to drink.
Cooking and preparing formula.
Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead.

More information

Phoenix residents can visit https://pipes.phoenix.gov/.

Scottsdale has more information at scottsdaleaz.gov/water/water-quality/drinking-water.

Glendale residents, click here.

Republic reporters Shawn Raymundo, Maritza Dominguez and Sam Kmack contributed to this article.

Taylor Seely covers Phoenix for The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com. Contact her at [email protected] or by phone at 480-476-6116.