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Plumbing in America
Where are America’s lead pipes?
Despite the danger posed by contaminated water, many states have no idea
LEAD IS STRONG, malleable and doesn’t leak. For these qualities it was regarded, in America and other places, as a fine material with which to make pipes to bring water to people’s homes. Unfortunately, lead is also highly toxic and can leach into water as it corrodes. High levels of lead cause health problems from heart disease to brain damage. The federal government did not fully ban the installation of new lead pipes until 1986. Even then it allowed existing pipes to remain in the ground. The trouble is, no one is sure where they all are.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that there are between 6m and 10m lead service lines in America but does not publish a breakdown of where. Earlier this year the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an environmental charity, asked states to provide estimates for their lead pipes. Just ten states and the District of Columbia were able to provide full estimates.
Sources: Natural Resources Defense Council; American Water Works Association