The Observation Deck

With the recent news from Flint and other cites that are showing high lead levels in their drinking water due to lead service pipes, be aware many of the city owned lead service pipes, the pipe between the water main in the street and the city cutoff valve at the residence's property line, were not replaced when the new streets and under ground infrastructure were installed. An example is the major renovation of the underground infrastructure and a new street on Clifton Road. Only a few lead service lines were replaced by the city at the time and only if the lead content in the residence's water was high. I know of one home that had ten [10] times the allowed level due to the service line that was replace but over my objections the remainder of the homes still have city owned lead service lines delivering water to the homes. Some of these city owned lead pipes have been in the ground for decades, in fact some may over century.

Be aware that your service may have high lead content in it but your neighbors will be below EPA acceptable labels. The EPA report that the City of Lakewood is worthless to the safety of your families its a sample to cover their arse. The major source of lead from these city owned lead service lines are due to corrosion at the connections to the main and the cut off valve.

To protect your family I suggest you call the City of Lakewood and inquire if you can take a sample of your homes tap water to city hall for analysis. Follow their instructions closely and don't be mislead by the claim that the lead in your water may be due to solder joints in your copper plumbing when the city may have up to forty feet or more of old lead service pipe delivering water to your home. I would suggest you take a sample every year to the city for lead levels after all it's their lead pipes. If the level is very high, I would demand the city replace the service line and contact an attorney if necessary.

Mr. Baker,

Thank You

Now that advice really improves the health and wellness of Lakewood

Is yesterday's press release from the City consistent with what you wrote:
http://www.onelakewood.com/safe-drinkin ... -lakewood/

Particularly this quote from the press release;
"The city typically replaces between four and five water mains each year, at a cost of more than approximately $500,000 for each main. All of the city’s service connections are replaced with copper as part of the new water main project."

Compared with what you wrote:
"be aware many of the city owned lead service pipes, the pipe between the water main in the street and the city cutoff valve at the residence's property line, were not replaced when the new streets and under ground infrastructure were installed."

Thanks for writing.

Are Service CONNECTIONS, different from Service PIPES? Is the connection merely the joint between the main in the street, and the pipe running to your property line?

Need to find out exactly WHAT the City replaced.

When the City did the Clifton Road project, they did not replace all the city lead connection lines. I have photos somewhere to prove that these lead lines were not replaced and neighbors that lived in the area at the time of the project that will confirm this fact

Its seems the current City of Lakewood Administration would rather publish spin by relating today's policy of replacing lead connection lines in a veil attempt to infer this was also the City's past policy. The Clifton Road the street and infrastructure project was done around year 2000 but I don't remember the exact year. As the City of Lakewood should know, the EPA banned lead in paint in 1978 so anytime after that the City was aware that any amount of lead in water is a health hazard but it elected not to replace these old lead connection lines unless the lead content in the residences water tested above the EPA's acceptable level.

The City of Lakewood can make all the little news releases they desire but it does not change the cities prior policy of not replacing all the lead connection lines and residents should have their water checked annually for lead. The city jeopardized residents health by not replacing these lead service lines when it was inexpensive knowing these lead connection lines will corrode at some point in time. If the City of Lakewood Administration would like to dispute these facts, let them address it in this forum and while they are doing that advise the city residents what is the current number of buildings and residences that the City still has lead connection lines in use. Better yet, the City should set up a database where residents can find out if they have a city owned lead connection pipe to their home on their $20,000 website. I'm willing to bet more than 70 percent of private residences have lead connection pipes. I'm waiting for their response.

To clarify and it does vary, the City of Lakewood defines the line/pipe from the water main to a water cut off valve located at your property line near the sidewalk where your water line is connected The water line on your property is your responsibility to maintain or replace in the event it is lead. A little more money on infrastructure and less spent beautification and make a empire of city employees would go a long way in replacing these lead connection lines.

When the City replaced the French water main about five years ago (Summers had just become Mayor), I don't recall them doing any extra work, but I'm not sure. Where would they dig, under the street or on our property. We had a plumber do it at our expense around that same time, but that was a feet into our front lawn. Was that it? Sorry for the ignorant questions, but this seems important to know.

If they did not dig trenches perpendicular and under the sidewalk up to every residence's property line of the street, the city did not replace the lead service lines between the main and where your water line connects.

Be aware the city water EPA test that you are sent every year is worthless for lead being present in your home's water.

I just read an article that Sebring, OH has high lead in it's water. Of the water samples sent in by the residences this far, five [5] percent have lead in their water higher than the level the EPA allows.

Because only certain homes have high lead content in their water it must be caused by lead service lines. Sebring was founded in 1912, my home was built in 1913 so I stronly suggest you have your water tested, especially if you have children.

Richard Baker wrote:If they did not dig trenches perpendicular and under the sidewalk up to every residence's property line of the street, the city did not replace the lead service lines between the main and where your water line connects.

They didn't do that. I need to call my plumber and find out how much work they did - if they have records. They may have just replaced the connector.

And thanks, Richard Baker. I'm a little surprised that no one else is making a big deal out of this here. It would appear that the City's press release is inaccurate.