By Marcus Elmer
The EPA has proposed updates to the Lead & Copper Rule Revision (LCRR) to enhance protection against lead in drinking water, aiming to simplify rules, improve corrosion control, boost public education, and enhance safety in educational facilities. The implementation of the Lead & Copper Rule Improvement (LCRI) could significantly advance public health by mitigating lead contamination and prioritizing safer drinking water across the U.S. through clear regulations, increased awareness, and expedited service line replacements.
Cities and communities vary in handling lead service line replacements; some replace the entire line, while others involve homeowner financial responsibility for private property portions. This article discusses key considerations for replacing lead service lines, including Denver’s plans.
What to Look For…
Proper Material and Connections/Joints
When replacing lead service lines, it is crucial to do a complete service line replacement. Both the city and the homeowner lines. A partial replacement will exacerbate the issue and likely elevate lead levels due to disturbance of the line.
When using copper for replacements, it’s advised to select Type K annealed coils, ensure proper sleeving and wrapping if required, and use flare fittings for connections. Importantly, position the copper tube in the “3 o’clock” position coming off of the water main to prevent loosening during backfill and compaction.
Key Visual Indicators
For proper copper service line installation, adhere to the following directives. Improper installation techniques can lead to failure or unnecessary repair:
- No material pipe-joint compound should be applied to matting surface for flare fitting and flared tube before attaching flare nut (See Figure 1).
- Position the copper piping in the “3 o’clock” position (also known as a gooseneck or pigtail) coming off the water main to ensure the backfill and soil packing process does not loosen flare connection (See Figure 2).
- The best option for installing copper underground is to bury it in direct contact with the soil or bedding. If wrapping is required, ensure proper sealing and protection are applied to prevent any water or moisture from getting trapped between the wrap and copper service line.
- Directional (trenchless) boring or pulling diameters are as close as possible to the outside diameter of the copper tube.
- In open trenching/excavation, the copper service line should not lay directly on undisturbed or unexcavated soil at the bottom of the trench (See Figure 3).
- Sleeving through foundations and walls must be sealed watertight (See Figure 4). Do not use caulks or spray insulation that contains ammonia or methanol. Sleeves can be sealed with Fernco™ electrometric clamps or electrician’s duct seal.
Denver Water Pulls Out Lead, Pulls in Copper
Unfortunately, tens of thousands of older homes in Denver use lead service lines to connect with the water main.
Denver was founded in the 19th century and has grown steadily as railroads connected the east with the west. Service lines from that era were commonly made from lead pipes. Lead was readily available, easy to work with and health hazards associated with lead were not well known.
Growing concerns about the toxicity of lead were raised after WWII, but it wasn’t until 1986 that the installation of new lead service lines was banned by an Act of Congress. And yet, the existing lead service lines continue to be in service to this day.
Denver Water estimates that 64,000 to 84,000 properties may have lead service lines in its service area. Homes built before 1951 are especially likely to contain lead pipes in their service lines. The number of homes likely to have lead service lines in Denver is vast. The cost to replace all the lines could potentially be hundreds of millions of dollars. Legally, the service lines are the responsibility of the property owner. However, since lead in drinking water is health hazard, Denver Water aims to replace all the lead pipes at no direct cost to homeowners.
Denver Water Leads the Way
The dividing point between the public water system and private property is marked by the service line, installed at the property owner’s expense. Denver Water commits to replacing discovered lead service lines with copper ones at no charge during pipe replacement operations. Those not replaced during such work are covered under the Lead Reduction Program, ensuring replacements are still made at no direct cost. Denver Water, a leader in clean water management, actively informs residents about these initiatives, identifying homes likely containing lead service lines.
Estimated to affect 64,000 to 84,000 homes, the program also includes health protection measures like water filters and pH adjustments in the water supply to reduce lead exposure. A laboratory supports this effort by studying how pH levels affect lead release. Homeowners opting to undertake lead service line replacement independently may receive up to $3,800 in partial reimbursement.
Prioritization
Realistically, as with many large cities across the United States, it will take 15 years to replace all the lead service lines. One might look at the 15- year program and wonder why it will take so long. Before the acceleration was implemented, Denver Water was replacing service lines at a rate of about 1,200 per year. Initially, data on the number of existing lead service lines was unclear. Once the total numbers were realized, it was obvious that the pace was too slow.
At the original pace, it might take 50 years or more to replace all the lines. The current program will replace about 5,000 lead service lines per year. That means that 60,000 service lines could be replaced in a dozen years or, practically speaking, Denver could be lead-free in just 15 years. Denver Water’s model for prioritization determines replacement areas based on several factors, including the likelihood that lead service lines are in a given area and how many properties in a given area are identified as either having or likely to have lead service lines.
The identification of elevated blood lead levels can be a factor as well as the number of critical facilities (e.g., childcare facilities and schools) identified as likely to have lead service lines. The replacement work is also coordinated with other efforts to minimize or avoid multiple disruptions to the same community.
Now with several years of experience in prioritization, the model used by Denver Water is of great interest to other communities seeking to provide the maximum health benefits as quickly as possible.
Digging, Boring and Pulling Through: What to Expect
Denver Water uses copper pipe for replacement pipes because it is durable, reliable, and long-lasting. Denver Water has produced several excellent videos to inform its residents of the replacement program and what to expect once work begins.
Especially informative is the video simply titled “How does Denver Water replace lead service lines,” which describes two pipe replacement methods: The first is the pull-through method, which involves passing a cable through the old lead service line to the water main, attaching the cable to the copper pipe and then using an excavator to pull the lead pipe and copper pipe through to the water meter.
Another pipe replacement method utilized is the directional boring technique. The lead pipe is left in place and new hole is bored through the ground from the meter to the basement of the home or from the meter to the water main.
Connections are then made. Both techniques avoid having to dig a trench for the length of the pipe resulting in cost saving.
Roya Alkafaji, Manager, Healthy Communities, summarized the work of Denver Water in a blog for the Environmental Defense Fund as follows: “Denver Water has one of the most successful lead service line (LSL) replacement programs in the country. Since it began the program in 2020, the utility has replaced nearly 14,000 LSLs — prioritizing lines to buildings serving vulnerable populations, such as child-care facilities. Denver Water has also distributed over 102,000 filters to local residents. EPA should continue to support their innovative approach.”
Why Copper?
Copper has been the preferred water service line material for over a century due to its durability, versatility, and reliability. The most common service line material is Type K annealed (soft) copper tube. Copper is impermeable, maintaining water quality by preventing contamination and inhibiting microbial growth, thereby promoting health. It is resistant to corrosion, high pressure, and stress and unaffected by UV rays and disinfectants, minimizing failure risks. Copper is also fully recyclable, supporting a sustainable economy. As a lead-free option, it’s ideal for safe, durable water service lines.
Marcus Elmer is vice president of the Copper Development Association. He is a seasoned professional with more than 15 years of experience in the plumbing and mechanical industries. He leverages his expertise to identify and influence market trends for copper tube and fittings products, driving strategic programs that encompass technical research, codes and standards, advocacy and education.
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