CU asks water customers to self-identify potential lead contamination

City Utilities of Springfield is asking certain business and residential water customers to self-identify potential lead contamination in response to revised Lead and Copper Rule guidance from the federal government.

Elizabeth Robertson, CU director of water treatment and supply, said this morning at a news conference that correspondence is being sent to around 80,000 water customers with unknown service lines. The impacted customers are those with homes or businesses built before Jan. 4, 2014.

"This regulation is critical to reducing the potential risk associated with lead exposure," Robertson said, speaking at CU's 1321 W. Calhoun St. natural gas and water operations building.

Robertson said following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's updated guidance last month on the Lead and Copper Rule, organizations such as CU are being asked to inventory the amount of lead used in water piping systems nationwide.

"This is not a decision made by City Utilities. It is a directive from the EPA and (Department of Natural Resources)," she said.

Robertson said CU already has inventoried its water lines and found no lead on its side. Water customers must check their side, on their property, she said. CU has set up a web page at CityUtilities.net/LCR to help customers make the determination.

The first 2,500 customers who send in photos depicting their water service line material will be eligible for a $20 gift card, Robertson said. She said that currently, customers would be required to shoulder the cost of a replacement if lead contamination is found. She estimated a potential consumer cost at $3,000 to $4,000.

"It is the responsibility of the homeowner for their portion of the line," Robertson said. "We need customer assistance to do this."

Robertson said there is not currently grant funding available from the federal government for the initiative, but that the organization would be looking for opportunities to apply for funding if it is offered. The deadline handed down from the federal government is 2037, she said.

Robertson added that CU would continue to send correspondence to water customers who do not choose to self-identify. A decision may be made for CU to dig to find potential lead themselves after multiple failed attempts with property owners to self-identify, she said.