Lehigh County Authority to notify 43,000 customers about potential lead pipes

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Nearly 43,000 Lehigh County Authority customers will receive letters detailing the type of pipe that connects their home or business to the water system — and whether they could be at risk of lead exposure.

The mailing is part of LCA’s annual public outreach campaign, which fulfills federal requirements and helps identify lead service lines in the community.

The effort comes as utilities across the country prepare to comply with a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule requiring the removal of all lead pipes from water systems by 2037.

“Before LCA can remove all lead pipes, we need to work with our customers to build a database of all the lead pipes in the system,” said Liesel Gross, the authority’s CEO. “This annual mailing helps to keep customers informed of our progress on this important project.”

A service line is the pipe that brings water from the utility’s main line in the street into a home or business. It includes both a public side — owned by LCA — and a private side owned by the property owner.

While LCA’s water sources — including local creeks, rivers, springs and wells — are naturally lead-free, lead can enter tap water through household plumbing made of lead or galvanized iron or steel. Research has shown lead exposure is especially harmful to children.

“LCA is committed to ensuring every family has access to safe drinking water,” Gross said. “We want all customers to know about our efforts to remove lead pipes from the system. This is one of the largest and most important public health projects in our nation this century.”

The authority is pursuing grant funding to help reduce the financial burden of replacing lead lines. In January, LCA will begin a project in Allentown funded by more than $6 million in state and federal grants to replace about 1,000 lead pipes.

What residents can expect

Residents with lead or galvanized pipes will receive letters confirming their pipe material. The letters will include tips for reducing lead exposure, such as flushing water before use, cleaning faucet aerators and using certified water filters.

Residents with unknown pipe material will receive letters inviting them to schedule a free inspection through lehighcountyauthority.org/inspect or by scanning a QR code provided in the letter. LCA recommends following the same safety precautions until the pipe material is confirmed.

LCA plans to replace pipes in a systematic, neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach to help manage costs and minimize disruptions. Customers will be notified in advance when work is scheduled in their area. All lead and galvanized pipes will be replaced with copper by 2037.

Lehigh County Authority is a nonprofit, public water and wastewater utility founded in 1966 by the County of Lehigh. It provides service to about 270,000 people and is governed by a board of directors appointed by the county.

More information about LCA’s lead service line replacement program and safety tips can be found at www.lehighcountyauthority.org/leadfree.