Limon and Flagler among 23 Colorado cities required to replace lead pipes by 2037

By Jerd Smith

Fresh Water News

A new statewide survey shows that 23 Colorado cities have aging lead water delivery pipes, roughly 20,000 of them, that could potentially taint drinking water.

Under federal rules, those cities must identify all contaminated pipes and replace them by 2037, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The initial survey, completed in October, also found that 170,000 additional water lines still need to be examined. According to Seth Clayton, executive director of Pueblo Water. “It took a significant effort to get the initial inventory completed, and then we sent out 22,000 letters to customers saying their service line type is unknown and could be lead. That sparks a bit of panic because of the misinformation out there."

Lead water lines were commonly used up until the 1980s, when they were banned by the EPA. Though water entering the pipes may be clean, erosion of the aging lines causes lead to seep into the water. No levels of lead are considered safe for children and can cause serious health problems in adults, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

To help finance the testing and replacement work, this year the EPA awarded the state $32.8 million. It is part of a $2.6 billion national replacement initiative funded through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

23 Colorado utilities and water systems with at least one confirmed lead water pipe include:

Aurora

Bristol Water and Sanitation District

Denver Water

Eckley

Englewood

Flagler

Fort Morgan

Georgetown

Golden

Grand Junction

Greeley

Lafayette

Limon

Lost Valley Ranch Corp.

Loveland

Manitou Springs

Morgan County Quality Water District

Parkville Water District

Pueblo Board of Water Works

Silver Plume

Steamboat Springs

Sterling

Yampa