City of Newcastle wants to know if lead pipes are in use
The City of Newcastle says it is committed to keeping local residents’ water safe and reliable. A City spokesperson said residents may have received an EPA notice letting them know that their water service lines are made of an “unknown” material.
Newcastle Director of Information Technology Scott Hannan said, “Given the age of the lines in Newcastle, it is unlikely that the lines contain lead. Nevertheless, the City is taking proactive steps to verify the materials to ensure residents’ safety and peace of mind.”
Hannan said the City is inspecting the materials of water service lines across Newcastle to comply with federal safety regulations and ensure infrastructure is up to standards.
Hannan said lead or galvanized iron can pose risks in certain conditions.
“Thankfully, most lines here are newer and likely made of safe materials,” he said. “By identifying any unknowns, the City is making sure it uphold the highest water quality standards.”
Hannan said the City will be sending out a team using a hydro excavation — a safe, non-destructive method that uses pressurized water to expose the service line material.
He said, “This approach minimizes disruption to your property while allowing the City to determine what your service line is made of.”
Hannan said the work is starting immediately, and should be completed within six months.
