Would You Partially Fix a Broken Bone?: The Dangers of Partial Pipe Repair and replacement
By: Ayana Smith, Fellow for 2024 Orleans Lead Testing Study
“Exploring the importance of maintaining water infrastructure and the dangers of partially repairing or replacing lead pipes.”
Everyone has gotten, known, or heard about a broken bone at some point in their lifetime. Our first instinct is usually to fix the bone immediately to restore its full function. If that is the natural response to a broken bone, shouldn't it be the same for a broken pipe? It would be remarkably cheaper if you just put something on the broken extremity and held it together, but you need to ensure it is fixed and will regain full function, which some tape, bandage, or immobility will not do. The same principle applies to broken pipes, particularly historical pipes. Patching a broken pipe may hold it together in the meantime, but more and more leaks will continue to occur due to age and corrosion. The goal should be to address the root problem and explore solutions to ensure the long-term safety and reliability of the water infrastructure.
Louisiana’s Water Infrastructure
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), in a 2017 report card, gave the overall infrastructure of Louisiana a D+, considering many factors, from bridges, coastal areas, levees, drinking water, etc. The grade for wastewater was a C-, clearly stating a severe need for more funding. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) reported that the Sewerage and Water Board was not complying with industry standards, resulting in a loss of over $19 million over two years. The loss is not just for SWBNO; the money came from Louisiana’s taxpayers. The OIG report stated that between 2021 and 2022, billions of gallons of water were treated but never billed because of the damaged water infrastructure. SWBNO’s comment on the report was, "SWBNO's current revenue level does not allow for the replacement of water mains at the level needed to address all leaks within the system," further stating the need for more water infrastructure funding. This highlights a critical issue: without adequate funding, the necessary repairs and upgrades to the water infrastructure cannot be accomplished, leaving the system vulnerable to failures.
The Efficiency of Lead Pipes
Since the beginning of modern plumbing, there has been such an attraction to lead due to its long-lasting properties compared to other materials, such as iron. Lead could last longer, cost less, and was more flexible than iron, allowing it to fit into complex plumbing systems without breaking, making it the next innovation in modern plumbing. On average, lead pipes can last 50-75 years and up to 100 years, but many things can cause the pipes to wear down over time. The wearing down of the pipes can be referred to as corrosion, a chemical reaction between the lead pipe and the water that flows through it. Some factors that affect how a pipe corrodes are water qualities like acidity, alkalinity, salt levels, other minerals, water temperature, and how long water is sitting in the pipes. New Orleans mainly installed lead pipes between 1900 and 1950, but it is imperative to know that the law restricting lead pipes was enacted in 1986. That meant pipes containing 8% or less of lead were still used until 2014, and from that point, 0.25% or less due to the knowledge that no amount of lead exposure is considered safe. A 1996 survey by the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans estimated that 80% of homes were connected to the city’s water supply containing lead pipes.
Costs Associated with Pipe Repair and Replacement
Since many of these lead pipes have reached and are continuing to reach the end of their lifespan, action must be taken, especially in Louisiana, where an estimated 266,000 lead service lines are currently being used. Options to repair or replace lead pipes are pipe patching/relining and partial and complete pipe replacement. Patching and relining lead pipes are the most inexpensive and can range from $500 to $4000, depending on whether the pipe is under foundation. This method is usually less invasive than partial or complete replacements, depending on where the damaged pipe is located.
For partial and complete lead pipe replacement, it is essential to understand how water gets from the plant to and then to homes. First, the water main delivers water from the treatment plant to the street; then, the water is delivered to each house. Any pipes before the property line are part of the city water service lines and are under city utilities; the pipes after are owned by the property owner. The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans states, “The water leaving our water treatment plant is lead-free. We confirm this through ongoing testing in compliance with state and federal regulations.” However, water is still contaminated with lead pipes connecting throughout New Orleans on the public and private sides. The contamination risk remains significant until all lead pipes, both public and private, are fully replaced.
Partial pipe replacement costs less than complete pipe replacement because it only involves sections of pipes, but it is just as invasive. During partial replacements, pipe segments are cut, which has been proven to release lead particulates and raise overall lead levels higher than before the procedure. Due to partial replacements only removing segments of lead pipes, lead pipes are often left at risk of corroding or breaking as they age. If the pipe replacement is made of copper, the line is at risk of a chemical reaction known as galvanic corrosion, which occurs between copper and lead. Galvanic corrosion causes more corrosion on the lead pipes and further releases lead into the drinking water. The EPA advises against partial pipe replacement as there is no proof that the process reduces lead in drinking water. The longevity of the pipes may be prolonged, but an increased amount of lead in the drinking water will cost the homeowner's health. Full replacements, though costly, are the most effective long-term solution for ensuring safe drinking water.
Workers with East Bay Municipal Utility District install new water pipe on April 22, 2021, in Walnut Creek, California.
The EPA mandates that each state follow total pipe replacement, and many 10 to 20-year plans have been made around this. On the private side, the individual total lead service line replacement cost ranges from $2000 to $9000. A complete replacement would eliminate all lead pipes, both public and private service lines. President Joe Biden has allocated $55 billion through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to expand access to safe and lead-free drinking water, including houses, schools, and businesses across the United States. Each city and state will have access to funds that would allow both the public and private service lines to be replaced, eliminating disparities in who can replace their lead pipes. Although this money is allocated now, water infrastructure is seriously underfunded, considering its importance. Large-scale funding for water infrastructure is severely unprecedented, but to maintain safe water infrastructure, it needs to be a priority for administrations nationwide. Securing and properly utilizing these funds will be crucial for the success of these replacement programs.
It is crucial that every state and city, especially New Orleans, push to utilize those funds. Everyone deserves access to clean drinking water, and this fund could provide that. The opportunity to heal and repair all the broken bones underneath the City of New Orleans has been presented. Everyone in New Orleans should be aware of the risks that come with non-full replacements, or, in other words, patching the broken lead bones that are contributing to the people of New Orleans getting sick from the lead and worsening the city’s infrastructure. The lead pipes in New Orleans have reached their limit, and it is time to take action. With the underfunding at SWBNO, continuous replacements are unfeasible. The push for more legislation that holds our states accountable for providing clean drinking water to all their citizens and maintaining water infrastructure is significant and needs to continue to happen.