About the Project

The Water Collaborative (TWC) is dedicated to advancing lead advocacy efforts through our 2024 Lead Awareness Program, a cornerstone in our commitment to ensuring clean and safe water for all New Orleans residents. Our goal is to educate about lead exposure risks, promote proactive contamination reduction, and advocate for system-wide water quality improvements.

Clean water isn't just about basic needs; it's about safeguarding public health and enhancing community quality of life. Every individual deserves access to safe water, free from harmful contaminants.

We invite you to join us in our mission to raise awareness and advocate for change. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that clean water remains a fundamental right for every resident, commuter, and visitor who enters our community.

2024 Lead Testing Study in Orleans Parish

Objectives

Increase community awareness of health risks linked to lead exposure.
Strengthen connections among community groups, decision makers, and utility leaders.
Improve residents' understanding of their home water pipe composition and federal regulations.
Educate the community about strategies and filters to reduce lead exposure.
Raise awareness about the impact of disruptions on lead pipes and advocate for proactive measures to minimize risks.
Create a secure and equitable water system accessible to every resident of New Orleans.

For questions or concerns regarding this project - email Taya Fontenette at taya@nolawater.org.

Lead Testing Study in Orleans Parish

The Water Collaborative is seeking participants for a residential water quality study.

Resident Interest Form

Participant Description

Join The Water Collaborative in our mission to better understand the lead and copper challenges in Orleans Parish! Starting May 2024, we are actively seeking residents in Orleans Parish willing to participate in free water quality testing for our study. View our study page to learn more.

Requirements:

Must be an active resident of Orleans Parish.
Have or suspect you have a lead service line, particularly if your residence was built before 1988.
Provide consent for water sample collection, testing, and reporting.
Understand that water must sit for a minimum of 6 hours prior to sample collection.
Applicants must be present at the time of water collection.
Allow TWC Lead Fellows access to the property for sample collection purposes.

“There is no safe level of lead in drinking water.”

Background

*EPA’s* *Guidance for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory*

Lead is a highly toxic metal that can cause a range of serious health issues, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. Even at low levels, lead exposure can lead to developmental delays, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) addressed this concern by implementing regulations like the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) in 1991, which establishes standards for lead and copper levels in drinking water and mandates water utilities to monitor and treat their water to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Before the 1980s, lead lines were commonly installed for drinking water across the United States, and even though they were federally outlawed, previously installed lines were not required to be removed. Water service lines, responsible for delivering water to individual residences, consist of both private lines owned by residents and main lines managed by the water utility. While water leaving distribution systems is not contaminated with lead, the presence of lead lines can still contribute to contamination within the home. Complete removal and replacement of service lines represent the most effective approach to eliminating lead exposure.

It was reported that approximately 11% of children under 6 in New Orleans tested for blood lead showed concentrations at or above 5 micrograms per deciliter in 2016, a rate significantly higher than the national figure of 2.5% for children aged 1 to 5.

What are the types of service lines?

Understanding the various types of water service lines is crucial for assessing potential risks and ensuring safe drinking water.

LSLR Collaborative Identifying Service Line Material

Lead: Lead pipes, once prevalent, are no longer installed due to health risks associated with lead exposure. However, homes with lead service lines may still exist in older and underserved areas.
Galvanized: Galvanized pipes are coated with zinc to prevent rust and corrosion. While they were commonly used in the past, they are being phased out due to issues with corrosion and lead leaching.
Copper: Copper pipes are durable, resistant to corrosion, and have a long lifespan. They are often used for both residential and commercial water service lines. Copper is a reliable material for water lines, providing a safe and clean water supply without the risk of lead contamination.
Plastic (PVC): Plastic pipes, including PVC, offer lightweight, corrosion-resistant alternatives to traditional metal pipes.

Where are the lead lines in New Orleans?

*Denver Water* *Interactive Lead Service Line Inventory*

Currently, the exact number and locations of lead lines in New Orleans, both public and private, is unknown. However, the EPA reported an estimated 266,984 lead service lines in Louisiana in September 2023.

Given New Orleans' historic water network, it is likely to bear a significant portion of this burden, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive measures to replace the lead pipes in our community's water supply.

To address this issue, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) has partnered with BlueConduit, a water analytics company specializing in machine learning technology, to create an inventory of the city’s water service lines. SWBNO will release a interactive city-wide inventory of service lines in October 2024 to comply with the LCR Revisions and begin implementing their replacement plan.

The proposed LCR Improvements of 2024 mandate the complete replacement of all lead and galvanized service lines within 10 years. Additionally, the Improvements introduce new mandates for annual updates, validation procedures, and replacement rates based on the baseline inventory.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1991, regulates and monitors lead and copper levels in drinking water to safeguard public health. The Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) of 2021 are scheduled to take effect in October 2024. The propose Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) were revealed in late 2023 and underwent a public comment period until February 2024.
Read our policy brief, Navigating the Changes, to learn more.
In Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) and the Environmental Protection Agency are responsible for implementing and enforcing the Lead and Copper Rule to ensure compliance and monitor water quality across the state.
The current EPA standards for lead and copper in drinking water are 15 parts per billion (ppb) for lead and 1.3 parts per million (ppm) for copper. There is no safe level of lead in drinking water.
To determine if you have a lead service line, you can contact your local water utility, Sewerage and Water Board (SWBNO). Additionally, a licensed plumber or home inspector can visually inspect your plumbing system to identify the presence of lead pipes. In October 2024, SWBNO will be releasing a public inventory of service line materials.
Flush your pipes before using tap water for drinking or cooking.
Use cold water for drinking and cooking as it typically contains less lead than hot water.
Install a water filter certified to remove lead.
Consider replacing lead service lines and plumbing fixtures with non-toxic alternatives.
Regularly test your water for lead, especially if you have an older home or suspect lead contamination.
There are several types of lead filters available, including pitcher filters, faucet-mounted filters, and under-sink filters. Deciding between these options depends on your specific needs, space availability, and filtration preferences. Regular filter replacement every few months is essential to maintain peak performance and ensure continued protection against contaminants for every filter system. Filters certified as NSF Standard 53 are specifically certified to reduce lead, guaranteeing effective lead reduction in your water.
While filters offer convenience, it's essential to recognize that full lead service line replacement is the most effective long-term option for preventing lead exposure.
To explore low-cost filter options explore our blog, Protecting Your Water with Lead Filtration Systems.