Lead Protection

As shown in this diagram, the city owns the service line that runs from the public water main to the property line. The customer owns the service line, which may include the curb stop and water meter, that runs from the property line into their house. While the city maintains records of service line material for most of the public-side services in the distribution system, there is limited information for the service line material on the customer owned portions of the system. 

Long-term exposure to lead may cause health effects, with the greatest risk to infants, young children, and pregnant women. It is important to identify its presence and remove any source that may contaminate water as it enters a home or building. You can learn about potential health impacts here: https://www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead.

On the utility owned (public) portion of the service line, Water & Sewer records indicate that we have not installed lead service lines on the public side of the service line since prior to 1930. Most of these lead service lines have already been replaced as part of previous projects, but our investigations show that some remain.

On the customer-owned (private) portion of the service line, Water & Sewer has not previously kept records of the service line material. It was not until 1981 that Greeley adopted the International Plumbing Code that formally banned the use of lead in water service lines in city.

The EPA’s new revision to the Lead and Copper Rule also requires galvanized service lines that are or may have been previously located downstream from a lead service line to be replaced. This is because it is possible that galvanized steel could absorb lead and release it later. If we find galvanized steel on your private side service line, the city will evaluate our records to check if it was or may have been previously downstream of a lead line. If it was, the line requires replacement and is termed as “Galvanized Requiring Replacement”, or GRR. If our records show that the galvanized line has always been downstream of safe material than it does not qualify for a free replacement. 

Greeley Water employs a comprehensive approach to identify lead service lines and utilizes the following identification methods:

• Record Review: the city has records for the public-side of most service lines. These can be used as proof of the pipe material installed.
• Property/Infrastructure Build Dates: properties or infrastructure installed after 1960, can in some circumstances be used to verify a service line as non-lead.
• Service Line Inspections: It is often possible to identify the material of the private side service line, by inspecting the pipe material as it enters the property, typically in the basement or crawlspace. This can be completed by residents via our online survey, by City of Greeley staff or contracted professionals.
• Potholing: Where other methods are not possible, potholing may be required to identify the service line material. Potholing involves using a hydro-vac to dig a basketball-sized hole to identify the service line underground. Our contractor will then fill the hole and restore the surface.

• If a property is identified as having a history of lead or other significant risk factor the customer will receive a notification letter. As precaution, a water filter pitcher certified for the removal of lead will also be provided, until the service line is confirmed as non-lead or is replaced.
• We will notify property owners by letters and/or doorhangers ahead of potholing or inspection activities in your area.
• If a lead service line is identified at your property, both the resident and property owner (if different) shall be notified by a letter. A water filter pitcher certified for the removal of lead will also be provided (if it has not been already).

 

Greeley Water is working on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis, focusing on high-risk and underserved neighborhoods first while coordinating with other planned construction activities across the city. We anticipate removing  any remaining lead service lines by December 2026.

If your house was built before 1981, please help us identify the material of your service line by completing the Service Line Questionnaire. You do not need to complete the questionnaire if your building was built after 1981. If the results indicate a potential lead service line, the city will follow up to coordinate the next steps. Having a lead service line does not necessarily mean you have lead in your water.

Customers will be asked to provide information and photos of where the service line enters the house. Contact us if you need assistance at waterquality@greeley.gov or 970-336-4097.

• You will be added to the 120Water Filter Program: Greeley Water, in collaboration with 120Water, will provide your household with a free water pitcher, filter, and replacement filters capable of removing lead from drinking water. We highly recommend water filtration prior to consumption and for six months following the service line replacement.
• Consent Form: The property owner will receive notice through letter, email, and phone to inform them of the lead service line. The letter will include a consent form for the property owner to sign, allowing our crews to access the property and replace the service line.
• Pre-construction site visit: After we receive the signed consent form, we’ll schedule a home visit to review the process in detail, answer any questions the owner may have, and schedule the replacement.
• Day of replacement: Someone must be present during the replacement work as crews will need to inspect connections inside the property. If the homeowner cannot be present for the service line replacement, they may appoint a designee to be present during the replacement process. Water is required to be shut off during the service line replacement. Most service lines can be replaced in less than six hours.
• Replacement complete: After you have been notified that your service line has been replaced and the water is back on, we strongly encourage you to flush the internal plumbing immediately. Flushing ensures that any lead-containing particles, loose scale, and other debris that may have been released during the replacement process are properly removed from the system. Detailed flushing instructions can be found here.
• Continue to utilize water pitcher: Continue to filter your water prior to drinking, cooking and preparing infant formula for six months after replacement.
• Water quality – post replacement check:Greeley Water, in collaboration with 120Water, will provide a water testing kit to residents approximately four months after replacement. The use of these water kits is not required but will help confirm that lead levels at the property have been reduced. Results will be provided once analysis is complete.

We strongly encourage you to flush your lines immediately following replacement of your lead service line, and regularly clean out your aerators in the following months. Flushing ensures that any lead deposits that occurred during construction are properly removed from your plumbing system. Detailed flushing instructions can be found here.

After your lead service line has been replaced and landscape restored, please complete our Post-Replacement Survey. Your feedback is greatly appreciated as it will assist the city in improving efficiency and customer satisfaction in future phases.

Greeley Water will determine the best method for replacement to minimize disturbance as much as possible. Landscaping will be restored upon completion of the lead service line replacement. During the pre-construction site visit, the team will discuss the specific plan for your property and any associated impacts.

Having a source of lead in the service line does not necessarily mean there is lead in the water. Greeley’s water treatment plants work to control the corrosivity of the water during the treatment process to mitigate pipe and plumbing materials from leaching into drinking water. Testing confirms that the water leaving Greeley’s treatment facilities is lead-free. However, we highly recommend that customers living at high-priority properties utilize the water pitcher and filters provided to reduce the risk of lead exposure until the service line has been confirmed lead-free.

Greeley’s Water Quality Program offers free water testing for lead at high-priority properties. To request water testing, please email WaterQuality@GreeleyGov.com with your name, property address, phone number and email. We will be in touch shortly after confirming your program status to schedule a water quality test.

Greeley Water will replace any customer-owned lead service line and provide filters to customers for six months following the replacement of their lead service line at no charge to the resident or homeowner. The cost is covered through water rates and federal funding.

Please maintain and use the water pitcher and filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions until six months after the replacement of your service line. Filtered water should be used for consumption; including for making tea and coffee; cooking food such as rice, beans, and soup; and preparing baby formula.

It is safe to use non-filtered water for all other uses, such as showering, bathing, laundry, irrigation, gardening, dishwashing, etc.

Properties enrolled in the Lead Protection Program that received a damaged filter kit upon delivery, multi-residential buildings with multiple units, or larger households with higher water consumption can request additional and/or replacement water pitchers or filters by completing this online form. You can also contact 120Water Customer Support at (800) 674-7961 or email support@120water.com.

You should replace your water pitcher filter cartridge every six months. 120Water will regularly mail you free replacement filter cartridges to use until six months after your lead service line has been replaced.

Watch this short video for a general guide filter use. To ensure proper filter use, please carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you believe your pitcher filter is not functioning properly, please contact the Lead Protection Team at (970) 336-4273 or email LeadProtection@GreeleyGov.com.

Plumbing installed prior to 1987 could also contain lead or lead solder. Customers should inspect and replace older plumbing with certified lead-free fixtures, and consult with a licensed plumber for assistance. If you suspect your home has lead plumbing, there are a few immediate steps you can take to minimize exposure.

• Run your water to flush out lead. If it hasn’t been used for several hours, run water from cold water taps for thirty seconds to two minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. To conserve water, remember to catch the flushed tap water for plants; you can also run the dishwasher, take a shower or do laundry to help flush water in your internal plumbing before consumption.
• Always use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Never use the hot water tap for cooking, drinking or preparing baby formula.
• Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
• Filter your water prior to consumption. Use a filter that is NSF Standard 53 certified to remove lead. Households identified as being served by a lead service line through Greeley Water’s Lead Protection Program will received a water pitcher and filters at no charge. Customers can also look into “point of use” filtration devices that are certified for lead removal to install on taps regularly used for consumption.
• Replace old faucets. Replace faucets installed pre-2014 with new lead-free options.

Yes! Showering, bathing and brushing teeth are safe while taking caution to ensure large amounts of water are not swallowed. Human skin does not absorb lead in water at levels that cause a health concern.