Over 1,600 lead lines replaced by Greater Cincinnati Water Works over the past year
Greater Cincinnati Water Works replaced more than 1,600 lead service lines over the past year, about 30% more than the year before and more than any previous year, according to WVXU News.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations require replacing at least 10% of remaining lead lines every year starting in 2028, a requirement the utility is working hard to meet.
Although the utility uses treatment practices that reduce the risk of lead leaching into drinking water, meaning water going through lead lines is likely safe, the risk is still enough to warrant replacing the lead lines, experts say.
Lead paint is the most common source of lead poisoning, but water lines are a contributing cause as well. Lead toxicity is especially harmful for young children, posing a risk of developmental problems.
GCWW's service area has about 33,500 lead service lines on the privately owned side; of those, about 9,500 also have lead pipes on the publicly owned side, WVXU News reported. Both public and private lead lines have to be replaced.
Water Works has started using a prioritization model to decide which ones to replace first. The model was developed by researchers at the University of Cincinnati; it looks at where people are at higher risk for lead poisoning based on data — like how many young children live in the area — plus factors like income and the availability of fresh food.
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