Haverhill residents confused by, or worried about, a letter from the city about lead pipes will receive a fuller explanation when the City Council meets Tuesday night.
Public Works Director Robert E. Ward is scheduled to “provide information and answer questions” about a Water Service Line Survey Program notice that was mailed recently. It informed some homeowners, “Your home is served by a water service line that may contain lead.” The notice goes on to say the city is conducting an inventory of water service lines. It explains the public works department has limited records about pipe and soldering materials and requires “further investigation.”
Some residents expressed concern on social media about possible costs they may face.
“A water service line is the pipe that connects your home or business to a water main from the city’s distribution system. In Haverhill, the service line is the full responsibility of the private property owner,” the letter explains.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Congress amended the federal Safe Drinking Water Act in 1986, which prohibited pipe, solder or flux in public water systems that is not “lead free.”
In an October press release, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan discussed a new rule requiring replacement of lead pipes within 10 years, saying, “We’ve known for decades that lead exposure has serious long-term impacts for children’s health. And yet, millions of lead service lines are still delivering drinking water to homes. President Biden is putting an end to this generational public health problem. With the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements and historic investments in lead pipe replacement, the Biden-Harris Administration is fulfilling its commitment that no community, regardless of race, geography or wealth, should have to worry about lead-contaminated water in their homes.”
The Haverhill City Council meets Tuesday night at 7, remotely and in-person at the Theodore A. Pelosi Jr. Council Chambers, room 202, Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer St. As a public service, 97.9 WHAV plans to carry the meeting live.