Lead pipe risk remains unknown for many Kentuckians, despite EPA deadline

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - New federal rules are now in effect in what's the strongest overhaul of lead-in-water standards in roughly three decades.

All water systems must publish an initial inventory of water service lines denoting whether they are lead, galvanized, requiring replacement, or unknown. Then, they must share that information with customers and the state.

Kentucky American Water's customer service line material map is one example of how water systems are sharing that inventory. It includes some home and businesses being recorded as "lead status unknown" due to age or just a lack of records.

The map currently shows the water lines into or inside the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Building, the nearby courthouses, and some public schools are made up of unknown materials.

Of their 137,000 service lines, Kentucky American Water knows the material making up half of them. They're continuing to work throughout the city to identify the rest.

Up until the 1960s, lead was used in water service lines. Even though many of those have been replaced, the Kentucky Division of Water says there are still large numbers in use.

In 2016, Kentucky American estimated less than 2% of its water distribution systems were lead.

Lead, a heavy metal used in pipes, paints, ammunition and many other products, is a neurotoxin that can cause a range of disorders from behavioral problems to brain damage. Lead lowers IQ scores in children, stunts their development and increases blood pressure in adults.

"Their motor skills, their thinking skills. It can affect the liver. It can affect your heart. There's all kinds of things. It's really not safe," says Donna McNeil, who has been studying water quality in the state for more than 30 years.

Underneath the painted brick historic homes lining the streets of Lexington's oldest subdivision nestled along Jefferson Street are some of the city's oldest water mains and service lines.

Kentucky American Water's Susan Lancho calls the water mains along Jefferson Street aging and problematic.

"That pipe was put in the ground in 1909. So, as we get out that older pipe, that's going to be able to accelerate that lead replacement," said Lancho.

Now, Kentucky American Water has 10 years to get lead out, not just along Jefferson Street, but throughout their entire service area.

EPA tightens rules for public water systems over lead

Why it's important to 'get the lead out' of our drinking water

"They've been seeing us do a lot of construction, a lot of replacement of older water mains throughout the community, and those take months to conduct," notes Lancho.

Water companies, like Kentucky American Water , own a portion of the service line which is typically from the main to the curb stop, found near the street curb or sidewalk. The property owner owns the rest of the service line all the way into a home or building. The curb stop is an outdoor shut-off valve, which may be a water meter pit or a valve.

The Kentucky Division of Water says there are limited records on water service lines on private property as many were installed decades ago. The only way to properly identify and inventory lead service lines is with property-by-property assessing.

"If the home is built before 1988 and the utility is replacing that main line, it's important for that homeowner to check to see what kind of lines they have," said McNeil. "If it is lead or if it is galvanized coming off of the lead service line, there's a higher risk associated with that if they don't replace it all at the same time."

Lancho agrees it will take some help from homeowners. By completing an online survey , Kentucky American Water can help determine the material making up a home's water lines.