As water infrastructure in North American ages, changes in water quality, water treatment practices and water infrastructure maintenance pose increasingly difficult challenges on water suppliers, municipalities and residents. Recent experiences like that of Flint, Michigan have brought to the forefront the inherent risk in not addressing the large volume of lead service lines buried within North America’s aging water infrastructure. A risk that with one change of the water supply or water treatment can expose men, women and children to unsafe levels of lead in their drinking water. The most effective way to eliminate this risk and prevent future crises is to remove and replace all lead service lines.
As local officials, building owners and taxpayers grapple with how to deal with the risk posed to drinking water, they are making decisions on piping replacement that can have effects long into the future.
Copper is the only service line piping material that offers the proven history of longevity, reliability, safety and life-cycle cost effectiveness to meet the challenges required in these infrastructure decisions.
Flint Water Crisis
Thousands of lead water service lines are buried within North America’s aging water infrastructure. A risk that can expose men, women and children to unsafe levels of lead in their drinking water.
Economic Impact
The low cost of plastic piping is alluring, but the headaches associated with costly repairs is not. Water utilities must carefully weigh the pros and cons of material benefits, reliability, installation costs and service life.
Who Is Using Copper?
As communities look to replace their lead service lines, many are selecting copper as a replacement material. Discover the technical and cost benefits of copper.
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Flint Water Crisis
Lead pipes can produce dangers in drinking water. This section details what a lead service line is and where they are in the country.
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Why Copper?
Much of the nation's drinking water infrastructure needs to be replaced. Discover why nearly 80 percent of utilities choose copper for service lines.
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Installation Best Practices
Copper tube for underground water services or other underground piping applications can be installed using various installation methods.
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Resources
A variety of fact sheets, case studies, videos and tools highlighting the need for lead replacement projects across America.
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News
Take a look at CDA’s latest press releases, articles and events related to lead pipe replacement projects taking place across the country.
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What You Can Do About Lead Pipes
The only permanent solution to lead in water contamination is to replace all lead piping. Learn more what you can do.
