The Philadelphia Water Department released a public inventory of lead pipes throughout the city, a disclosure required of all U.S. municipalities by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Philadelphia residents can search their address in the city’s new interactive map to determine whether they’re connected to one of the many lead service lines that have been found throughout the city. The map shows clusters of lead service lines in neighborhoods such as Kensington and Point Breeze. However, the material of service lines connected to a majority of properties on the map is unknown. “The lack of knowledge is certainly somewhat disturbing, given the obligations the city is going to have to rectify and replace all of these lead service lines in the coming decade,” said Robert Ballenger, an energy and utilities attorney at Community Legal Services. “Going back to 1916, the Inquirer reported that the city was requiring everyone to use lead to connect to the city’s water mains. Fast forward a century, and we’ve lost track of where those lead lines are.” Philadelphia residents also can get their water tested for lead free of charge by calling 215-685-6300.
Source: WHYY; 10/16/2024