Lead Awareness and Drinking Water Safety

CWLP reduces risks of corrosion occurring in plumbing systems by adding lime during the water treatment process, which raises the pH of the finished drinking water. The use of lime and the higher pH of the water limits the risk of metals, such as lead, from leaching into drinking water from lead service lines and plumbing fixtures containing lead or copper.

In situations where water is left standing for extended periods in plumbing systems and service lines where lead or copper pipe or solder exists, contamination into drinking water is a possibility. There are safeguards you can take to protect against this risk.

Lead Safety Video

About Lead Service Lines Read More

Service lines are the lines that run from the water main near the street to the property. The portion of the line from the curb stop to the home or building is customer-owned and the portion from the curb stop or meter to the water main is owned by the utility. If a home or building was constructed prior to 1930 in Springfield, it may have a lead service line. Other material types for water service lines include copper, polyethylene and galvanized

Where are lead service lines suspected?

CWLP has developed an interactive Water Service Line Map and Survey to show and collect water service line material information for active customers within our service area. CWLP has historic data for the public portion of the water service line that come from record drawings, plumbing inspections, maintenance records, and service inspections. In some locations, CWLP has verified the pipe material by visual observation. All other information is based on historic records and has not been confirmed.

Lead service lines in Springfield are located in homes or buildings constructed prior to 1930, which is an area bound approximately east of Bruns Lane between Sangamon and Stanford Avenues. Many service lines in this area have been replaced over the years. CWLP’s current inventory of service lines indicates there may be around 11,000 lead service lines still in use today.

Because the information provided for the maps for lead service line inventories is limited to the best available data in CWLP's possession at this time, some information may not be accurate. To see where lead service lines are suspected in CWLP’s service territory view our maps below. You can also help us update our information on the map to be more accurate by participating in our online survey.

Questions? Call our Lead Awareness Water Line, 217.789.2323 ext. 1631 or e-mail publicinformation@cwlp.com.

Water Service Line Map & Survey Boundary List Boundary Map Water Service Line Inventory

Lead Service Line Replacement Read More

Construction for the Lead Water Service Line Replacement Project (2025 & 2026) within Census Tracts 23 & 16 in the City of Springfield is underway. This Project is being financed by the Public Water Supply Loan Program (PWSLP) State Revolving Fund (SRF). The SRF program is administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and receives a portion of its money to fund these types of projects from the US Environmental Protection Agency. This project includes the replacement of lead service lines to high risk customers, customers in the lowest income areas as identified by census tract and also emergency replacements throughout the City. Once complete, it will improve water quality for area residents and businesses, as well as remove any potential health and safety threats with lead services. SRF programs operate in each state to provide communities the resources necessary to build, maintain, and improve the infrastructure that protects one of our most valuable resources: water.

Lead Service Line Replacement Plan

How does lead get into drinking water Read More

Lead contamination may occur when water passes through a municipal water service line into a resident’s private plumbing system, where plumbing fixtures or pipe include lead or copper pipe with lead solder. This can permit lead to leach into the home’s water supply if water is left standing in the pipes for several hours. Individual property owners are responsible for any repairs or replacements to the section of private service line that runs from the meter pit or shutoff valve located near the street or in the outdoor meter pit to the home.

Homes built before 1930 are more likely to have lead plumbing systems than newer homes. If your house or property was built before January 1986, you are more likely to have lead-solder in the plumbing. Properties built after January 1986 most likely contain copper piping.

What does lead plumbing look like? Read More

Lead is a very soft, dull gray metal. You can carefully scratch the pipe of soldered joint with a key or screwdriver. If the area turns a bright silver color, the pipe or solder is most likely lead. Note: Galvanized piping is also gray in color. You can use a strong magnet to determine if the pipe is galvanized. The magnet will cling to galvanized pipes, but not to lead pipes.

Is my exposure to lead limited to drinking water? Read More

Lead is harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Lead is found in air, soil, dust, food and water. Lead was once a key ingredient in paint and gasoline and may be found in part in batteries, pottery, roofing materials, some cosmetics, toys, and jewelry. Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust are the main sources of lead exposure in children. Lead based paints were banned for use in housing in 1978. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 10 -20% of adult exposure to lead comes from the drinking water. Infants who consume mostly formula mixed with tap water can receive 40 – 60% of their exposure to lead from drinking water.

Lead can cause a variety of health effects when people are exposed to it. Children 6 years old and younger are the most susceptible to damaging effects.
EPA Lead Regulations

How can I reduce my exposure? Read More

As an additional safeguard against lead contamination from drinking water for those with lead or copper service lines with lead soldering, follow these guidelines:

The guidelines listed below should be followed:

Run your water faucet for at least 5 minutes to flush out potential lead and ensure you are receiving the freshest water from the water main. This is always a good practice if the water in your home hasn’t been used for several hours or if there was water service line or water main work in the area that could have disturbed sediment buildup in pipes. To conserve this flushed water, collect it to use for watering plants or other household use such as cleaning. Make sure small children understand the importance of allowing the water to run before drinking.
Use cold water for drinking, cooking and preparing baby formula. Place a glass of fresh water in the bedroom for members of the family who get up in the night for a drink of water and won’t remember to run the faucet.
Do not boil water as an attempt to remove lead
Periodically remove and clean the faucet aerator/screen. While removed, run the water to eliminate any debris.
Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead. Brass faucets, valves, and fittings may leach lead in to the homes drinking water. Products sold after Jan 4. 2014, by law must contain very low levels of lead. Be sure to read the label on new plumbing fixtures to verify that the products are certified for low lead content (less than 0.25 percent by weight).
Consider investing in a home treatment device. Potential treatment options can include filters, reverse osmosis units and distillers. Make sure the system in certified under NSF/ANSI 53 to remove lead. If you decide to use a water treatment system, remember that it may require regular service, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions and replace filters at the recommended interval.
Certified Filters
Have a licensed electrician check your wiring. If grounding wires from electrical system are attached to household plumbing, corrosion could be increased and lead exposure may be greater. DO NOT attempt to change any wiring yourself as it could cause electrical shock and fire hazards.

How is lead regulated in drinking water? Read More

In the 1991 rulemaking, the EPA established a maximum contaminant level goal of 0 mg/L for lead and an action level of 0.015 mg/L for lead in public water systems. The lead action level is exceeded if the concentration in more than 10 percent of the distribution water samples (i.e., the 90th percentile) collected after a minimum stagnation time of 6 hours is greater than the respective action level. CWLP’s certified lab results have revealed concentrations below the action level.
Drinking Water Quality

How to test for lead in your drinking water Read More

A laboratory certified by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) can be hired to perform an analysis of your home or business for lead. A list of certified laboratories is available from the IEPA Regional Office at 217.557.8761. For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s Web site below, call the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-LEAD, or contact your health care provider.
EPA Lead Testing