City Sends out Letters Warning of Lead Pipes

Some Fairbury residents have received letters from the city, alerting them to the possibility of lead in their water service lines. According to City Water Operator Gregg DeFrain, between 300 and 400 of these letters have been sent out.In 1986, Congress Amended the Safe Drinking Water Act to prohibit the use of pipes, solder or flux that contained lead in public water systems or plumbing in facilities providing water for human consumption.No homes built after 1986 should receive one of these letters because none of the plumbing in those homes should have lead in any of its components.On October 8, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration issued a final rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure in water. This does not apply just to the people of Fairbury or Nebraska but most of the United States.For those dwellings built prior to 1986, expect for those already known by the city not to contain lead pipes, one of three letters has been sent to residents.A letter with the heading, “Notice of Lead Service Line Material,” was sent to those houses known to have lead pipes. A “Notice of Unknown Service Line Material” was sent to those houses when the pipe material is unknown. A third letter, “Notice of Galvanized Service Line Material Downstream of Lead” was sent to those with galvanized pipe because if lead gets into the galvanized pipe, it will cause it to leech lead the way a lead line will.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a number of suggestions for limiting lead exposure in drinking water: Use your filter properly: Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, make sure you use a filter certified to remove lead. Read the directions to learn how to properly install and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. Clean your aerator: Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water. Use cold water: Use only cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby formula. Hot water from the tap can contain higher levels of lead. Remember, boiling water does not remove lead from water. Run your water: The more time water has been sitting in pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, and the length of the lead service line. Residents should contact their water utility for recommendations about flushing times in their community. Learn if you have a lead service line: Find out if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead. Ask your water utility or if your utility does not have information a licensed plumber may be able to assist. Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead is EPA’s step by step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home. If you have a lead service line, contact your water utility to participate in their service line replacement program. Learn about construction in your neighborhood: If you have a lead service line, you should be aware of any nearby construction or maintenance work that could disturb the line. Ground tremors from construction may suddenly cause more lead to be released from a lead service line in the area. Have your water tested: Contact your water utility to have your water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water.

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