CU steps up efforts to identify potential lead contamination

After publicly asking water customers to self-identify potential lead contamination a year ago, City Utilities of Springfield is moving to the next phases of the initiative required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

CU is asking water customers who haven't already responded to last year’s request to self-identify their service line materials by a visual inspection and load a photo to the utility organization's website, according to a news release. The goal is to identify lead or galvanized service lines that could potentially release lead into the water system. 

"Since launching the project in November 2024, customers have helped identify more than 52,000 customer-owned water service lines," officials said in the release. "Roughly 38,000 lines, however, remain unknown, and City Utilities is asking those customers to take action now."

For customers who do not submit documentation to CU by Jan. 2, CU will begin going door to door to request permission to access basements or crawl spaces to verify service line materials.

In announcing the initiative last year, CU officials pointed to the EPA's updated guidance on the Lead and Copper Rule. Through the guidance, organizations such as CU are being asked to inventory the amount of lead used in water piping systems nationwide. 

"This is not a decision made by City Utilities. It is a directive from the EPA and (Missouri Department of Natural Resources)," said Elizabeth Robertson, CU director of water treatment and supply, in November 2024.

Robertson also said at the time that customers likely would be required to shoulder the cost of a replacement if lead contamination is found, and she estimated the potential consumer cost at $3,000 to $4,000.

CU has inventoried its water lines and found no lead on its side.