Lead In Water Lines, Virginia Beach Warns Residents

Unknown Private Service Line Materials

The City’s notice, received by some residents, indicates that while no lead pipes have been identified in the public water system, DPU has yet to verify the materials in certain private water lines. The private line serving the property at 208 80th St., Unit B, is among those with unknown material that may contain lead.

Virginia Beach’s DPU emphasizes a joint responsibility between public utilities and private property owners. While the City manages the water main and the line up to the meter, property owners are responsible for the line connecting the meter to the building, which may contain lead, especially in buildings constructed before 1988.

Health Risks of Lead Exposure

Lead exposure poses serious health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women. The EPA warns that lead can decrease IQ and attention span, while worsening behavioral issues in children. For adults, risks include heart disease, high blood pressure, and damage to the kidneys and nervous system. Women exposed to lead may also risk passing on these health concerns to their children before or during pregnancy.

Steps to Reduce Lead Exposure

Virginia Beach DPU applies a corrosion control inhibitor to all water, which helps prevent lead from leaching into the supply by creating a protective layer inside pipes. The City has used this method effectively for over 30 years.

In addition to this city-wide measure, the DPU advises residents to take further precautions:

• Use an NSF-certified water filter to effectively remove lead from drinking water.
• Run cold water for five minutes if water has sat in the pipes for several hours, as stagnant water can accumulate higher lead levels.
• Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and baby formula, since hot water dissolves lead more readily.
• Clean faucet aerators monthly to remove any trapped particles.
• Get children’s blood tested if there are concerns about lead exposure, as lead poses the greatest health risks to young children.

How to Identify Your Service Line Material

Residents can check their water service line’s material by examining the pipe where it enters the building, often in a crawl space or utility area. Using a key or coin, homeowners can scratch the pipe to determine its material:

• Copper pipes reveal an orange color.
• Galvanized steel pipes are dull gray and magnetic.
• Lead pipes are dull gray but non-magnetic and will appear shiny when scratched.

Assistance with Lead Pipe Replacement

For homeowners who identify lead in their private water lines, Virginia Beach offers potential financial assistance through the Lead Elimination Assistance Program (LEAP). Information on LEAP, as well as lead reduction methods, is available on the City’s website at VirginiaBeach.gov/Lead.

For further guidance or questions, residents can contact the Department of Public Utilities at (757) 385-4160 or consult the EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/lead.

Additional Water Treatment Options

For Virginia Beach residents concerned about water quality, reverse osmosis filtration and whole-home water conditioners can provide further protection against lead. Reverse osmosis systems effectively filter out lead and other contaminants at specific taps, while whole-home conditioners can improve water quality across all taps in the home.

Source: This above document was mailed to an East Coast Water Quality customer by the City of Virginia Beach, then shared with us.