HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 02-18 Getting the lead out PIONEER PRESS 2/18/2016 Main
Getting the lead out
>Editorial
With water woes in national headlines, several key factors provide some useful perspective for St. Paul
and much of the east metro on a precious resource and its safety.
• We have what's considered a reliable source for our water, which is pumped from the Mississippi
River into a chain of lakes north of the Twin Cities on its way to treatment.
• Testing is ongoing and under the scrutiny of regulators, including the Minnesota Department of Health.
• St. Paul Regional Water Services, the utility that serves the city and a number of surrounding
communities, has been recognized for its leadership and operations. The editorial board saw for itself on
a tour of the McCarrons water treatment plant last year, and we appreciate both the scope of the facility
and the commitment of its staff.
But with high lead levels among factors in the Flint, Mich., crisis, attention is due across the nation to the
risk of exposure.
It's a matter, in particular, for consideration in older neighborhoods in older cities like St. Paul.
The Pioneer Press' Sarah Horner reported that within our system's coverage area, about 95,000
underground pipes carry water to residents' homes. Of those, 14,000 have service connections made of
lead.
The small pipe that connects the house to the water main is referred to as the "service connection,"
explains Jim Bode, the utility's production division manager.
The lead-connection numbers break down this way: 13,340 homes in St. Paul and 318 in West St. Paul,
with the rest scattered in other communities including Falcon Heights, Lauderdale and Maplewood.
"Lead is not found in our source water. It is not in the water leaving the treatment plant," the utility
explains on its home page (stpaul. gov/departments/water-services). "Lead in drinking water comes from
lead service lines to the home, brass fixtures in the home, and lead solder in the home," as well as other
sources, including lead paint in older homes.
Most lead services were installed in homes built before 1927,plus a few constructed during and after
World War 11, from about 1942 through 1947. "These homes are at higher risk of lead leaching from the
pipes," the website says.
The utility offers free lead testing for these customers and will help them interpret the results, says the
website, which also provides links to additional resources and information.
Depending on the level detected, homeowners can buy a water filter that protects against lead, the
Pioneer Press reported, or opt to have their lead pipe removed.
The utility explains that it owns and maintains the portion of the water service in the street right of way.
The property owner owns and is responsible for maintenance and replacement of the service within his or
her private property.
While eliminating the lead service lines is the best longterm solution, according to the utility, the
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estimated cost running several thousand dollars, Bode said is a steep one for many homeowners.
"We keep coming back to dollars," Bode said, "and coming back to getting that lead pipe out of the
ground. You can't wave a magic wand and get it out of there. It's going to take a lot of work and a lot of
money to do it."
"As a country and as a water industry, we're coming to that conclusion," he told us.
The questions and the cost will be important for cities and homeowners as water concerns play out
in the headlines and at the faucet.
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