Lead Pipes Threaten the Drinking Water of Millions of City Residents

Approximately 40% of the pipes servicing buildings in New York City are made of lead. Below you can find a link to a map displaying which building lots have lead pipes.

In my work as an environmental scientist, I am often called tasked with testing tap water for lead, usually at daycare facilities or schools. On occasion, we’ve discovered elevated lead levels in water samples collected from brand-new buildings. This is somewhat surprising since a building constructed after 1986 — when lead pipes, solder and plumbing fixtures were banned — shouldn’t have such pipes. After getting such a report, we begin trying to pinpoint the source. If it’s not the building’s pipes then what is it? After eliminating other potential sources, we’d usually find the same culprit: a lead service line. Service lines are the small pipes that connect a building to the water mains, and throughout the late 19th to mid 20th century these pipes were usually made of lead. Many cities — Flint, Michigan and Newark, NJ, notably— have had major public health emergencies stemming from lead service lines, but there has been comparatively little coverage of the issue in New York City. This led me to wonder: Where are all these lead pipes, and how can I determine if my building has one? My search lead to some unsettling results.

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection recently published data on the locations of lead service lines. This dataset is based on both historical records and observations collected by plumbers, contractors, and city workers during construction activities and excavations. The records are largely incomplete , with many pipes listed as “unknown” or “NA.”

Lots appearing as red have have a lead service line

Utilizing this data I created a color-coded map that marks building lots according to type of service line: red means the pipes are made of lead, green means they are safe, and gray is unknown. Based on this data, I found that approximately 40% of building lots have a lead service line.

Link: Map of Lead Service Lines in NYC

The History of Lead Pipes

Lead has been used in the construction of water pipes since the advent of plumbing. In fact, the word “plumbing” comes from the Latin word for lead, plumbum, which is also the origin of the atomic symbol for lead, Pb. In the United States, lead’s widespread use in water distribution systems began in the 1820s and by the turn of the century around 70% of cities used lead pipes.

Lead’s durability and low cost made it an attractive material for use in domestic plumbing and pipes. Despite the concerns of many public health advocates, thousands of miles of lead pipes were installed around the country. Many, if not most, of these lead-containing pipes remain in use.

In 2018, more than 500,000 children in the U.S. had elevated levels of lead in their blood — 4,717 of whom live in NYC.

As public awareness of the health risks posed by lead exposure grew, the use of lead pipes in plumbing was phased out and eventually banned in 1961 by the city of New York, and nationally in 1986. Despite it being nearly 60 years since their use was discontinued in the city, hundreds of miles of lead pipes remain.

Exposure to lead remains a major health concern in New York City and around the country. In 2018, more than 500,000 children in the U.S. had elevated levels of lead in their blood — 4,717 of whom live in NYC. A recent survey revealed that 8% of tap water in NYC homes tested above the EPA’s lead limit of 15 parts per billion.

Service lines are the pipes that connect a building to the water mains. In New York City, a huge number of these pipes are made of lead.

Utilities are quick to point out that the mineralized layer of scale inside the pipes largely prevents lead from seeping into the water. This is generally true. However, when these pipes corrode, or if the water chemistry changes, lead can dissolve into the water supply. To combat this, chemicals are added to preserve the mineral coating inside the pipes. But in cases where the water chemistry is not properly managed, as was the case in Flint, MI and Newark, NJ, huge quantities of lead can leech into the water supply.

What Levels of Lead are Safe?

Lead’s toxic properties have been recognized since ancient times, yet it’s only more recently that we’ve come to learn that even minute doses can damage the body and mind. Scientists now agree there is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead exposure in children has been shown to decrease IQ, increase antisocial behavior, and limit educational attainment. These effects are thought to be permanent.

Lack of Government Action

There is no legal requirement that the city, or a property owner remove a functioning lead service line.

As it stands now, very little is being done to address this problem on a public policy level. Apart from the requirement to install lead-free pipes when a service line is replaced, there is no legal requirement that the city, or a property owner remove a functioning lead service line. Consequently, very few lead service lines are being replaced with safer materials. The State government’s strategy has been to provide grants directly to homeowners for service line replacements, but with its meager $30 million budget, New York State’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program barely makes a dent in the estimated $1 billion cost to replace the nearly 360,000 lead pipes throughout New York State. In light of the well-documented risks of lead, the only solution is to commit more resources to the elimination of all lead service lines.

What to do if your building has lead pipes

Purchase an EPA approved water filter

Request a free test kit from the city

Run the tap for several minutes before use

For more information on lead hazards in New York City visit Lead Free NYC.

Stephen Bell is an Environmental Specialist at Green Orchard Group, an NYC-based environmental consulting company.