Lead Inventory and Replacement Process
Greeley Water is working with residents to identify and replace service lines to ensure top safe drinking water and protect public health.
Lead Inventory and Replacement Process
In early 2023, Greeley Water launched the Lead Protection Program to identify the materials of both public- and customer-owned portions of every water service line in the city. The program has three main components:
- Service Line Material Identification: Identify properties with service lines containing lead through historical records, inspections and potholing.
- Lead Service Line Replacement: Replace all lead service lines at no cost to the homeowner.
- Filter Program: Supply customers suspected of having a lead service line with a free water pitcher, filter, and replacement filters certified to remove lead until six months after replacement of the line or the line is verified as lead-free.
Program Schedule
Greeley Water is working on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis, focusing on high-risk neighborhoods first while coordinating with other planned construction activities across the city. We anticipate removing service lines containing lead by December 2026. See the graphic below for more information on the program schedule:
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Lead Water Service Lines
In older homes, lead was sometimes used as the material for the water service line pipes connecting older homes to the city’s water system. As water runs through lead service lines, the lead can dissolve or break off into tiny particles—ending up in drinking water. However, having a lead service line does not mean that lead is present in drinking water, as there are many factors that contribute to the release of lead.
Based on the best available information including the age of homes and when laws were enacted to ban lead piping, this graphic shows the possibility of a house in Greeley having a lead service line:
What is the History of Lead Service Lines in Greeley?
On the utility owned (public) portion of the service line, Water & Sewer records indicate that we have not installed lead service lines on the public side of the service line since prior to 1930. Most of these lead service lines have already been replaced as part of previous projects, but our investigations show that some remain.
On the customer-owned (private) portion of the service line, Water & Sewer has not previously kept records of the service line material. It was not until 1981 that Greeley adopted the International Plumbing Code that formally banned the use of lead in water service lines in city.
State Revolving Fund
Greeley’s Water and Sewer Department received approval for a $21 million state revolving fund loan to help the city locate and replace all remaining water service lines containing lead in Greeley. The approval includes $10 million in loan forgiveness, eliminating the need for a 1.1% water rate increase to fund the Lead Protection Program. The city seeks financial assistance for capital projects whenever possible to lessen the impact on Greeley’s ratepayers.
Service Line Identification Frequently Asked Questions
The EPA’s new revision to the Lead and Copper Rule also requires galvanized service lines that are or may have been previously located downstream from a lead service line to be replaced. This is because it is possible that galvanized steel could absorb lead and release it later.
If we find galvanized steel on your private side service line, the city will evaluate our records to check if it was or may have been previously downstream of a lead line. If it was, the line requires replacement and is termed as “Galvanized Requiring Replacement”, or GRR. If our records show that the galvanized line has always been downstream of safe material than it does not qualify for a free replacement.
If your house was built before 1981, please help us identify the material of your service line by completing the Service Line Questionnaire. You do not need to complete the questionnaire if your building was built after 1981. If the results indicate a potential lead service line, the city will follow up to coordinate the next steps. Having a lead service line does not necessarily mean you have lead in your water.
Greeley Water employs a comprehensive approach to identify lead service lines and utilizes the following identification methods:
- Record Review: the city has records for the public-side of most service lines. These can be used as proof of the pipe material installed.
- Property/Infrastructure Build Dates: properties or infrastructure installed after 1960, can in some circumstances be used to verify a service line as non-lead.
- Service Line Inspections: It is often possible to identify the material of the private side service line, by inspecting the pipe material as it enters the property, typically in the basement or crawlspace. This can be completed by residents via our online survey, by City of Greeley staff or contracted professionals.
- Potholing: Where other methods are not possible, potholing may be required to identify the service line material. Potholing involves using a hydro-vac to dig a basketball-sized hole to identify the service line underground. Our contractor will then fill the hole and restore the surface.
- If a property is identified as having a history of lead or other significant risk factor the customer will receive a notification letter. As precaution, a water filter pitcher certified for the removal of lead will also be provided, until the service line is confirmed as non-lead or is replaced.
- We will notify property owners by letters and/or doorhangers ahead of potholing or inspection activities in your area.
- If a lead service line is identified at your property, both the resident and property owner (if different) shall be notified by a letter. A water filter pitcher certified for the removal of lead will also be provided (if it has not been already).