RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Thousands of lead piping materials have been replaced in Richmond since the early 1990s, according to the city’s Department of Public Utilities.
The department said more than 9,000 lead line replacements have occurred in the public right-of-way since they were found in the early 1990s.
In addition, nearly $3 million — a sum of $2 million from the Virginia Department of Health and $1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act — have been provided to find about 800 privately-owned replacements, according to the department.
These efforts come as part of the city’s “Lead Free Water Program” to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule.
Over 85,000 Richmond residents whose water lines contain unknown or confirmed lead or galvanized leading to lead have received “Notices of Unknown Service Line Material” letters as required by the EPA’s rule.
The city continues to remind residents that Richmond’s drinking water does not contain lead when it leaves the city’s water treatment plant, but instances of lead can occur from water service lines and internal plumbing materials made of lead.
A portion of each water service line is owned by the city and is deemed public, and a portion is owned by the property owner, deemed private.
Richmond residents can provide information on service line material through an online survey.
The city’s replacement plan is under development and due in 2027, according to the department. For more information on the project, visit the city’s website.
