FAQs

A water service line is the pipe that runs from the water main to a home or building's internal plumbing. These pipes carry water from the city's water main into homes and buildings. In Aurora, property owners own the line from the meter into the building. 

Lead is a naturally occurring metal that has been a part of human society for thousands of years. The water industry concerns about lead pipes have evolved over decades. Today, scientists and society are more aware than in the past of the dangers posed by using lead in products such as paint, gasoline, drinking water service lines and plumbing materials.

Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.

 EPA Lead in Drinking Water Basic information about lead in drinking water (US EPA)
 CDPHE Lead in drinking water fact sheet.pdf -- Google Drive

Water service lines made of galvanized steel may have captured tiny lead particles if lead pipe or fittings were ever connected upstream.

Aurora's water does not contain lead when it leaves the water purification facilities and travels through the water mains in the streets. However, when it travels through the water service pipes, it may come into contact with lead materials in the water service line and the plumbing in your home.

Aurora Water continually works to significantly reduce lead exposure risks for customers with water service lines containing lead. Aurora Water is diligent in ensuring the great water we deliver to you is carefully monitored at all points throughout the system so this doesn't happen.

Aurora Water proactively treats the water to maintain an optimal corrosion control treatment that minimizes the lead at customers' taps. When water interacts with metal, the metal can oxidize, resulting in corrosion. Aurora Water adjusts the chemistry of the water through pH/alkalinity to cause a buildup or coating on pipe walls, which reduces the amount of lead released from lead-containing pipes and fixtures. As long as this film is intact, houses with lead service lines pose less risk for lead in their water.

Aurora Water consistently meets all state and federal regulations for lead. Refer to our annual Water Quality Report for more information.

To further protect public health, Aurora Water is taking steps to locate and replace water service lines made of lead or galvanized steel.

Before 1960, lead was sometimes used for water service lines. Lead was commonly used in household plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, sinks, shower heads, hose bibs, etc.) and solder into the late 1980s, when it was banned. From 1986 to 2014, plumbing fixtures could contain up to 8% lead to be categorized as "lead free." However, current standards for "lead-free" fixtures allow no more than 0.25% lead content.

The area where Aurora Water is focusing the Lead Service Line Replacement Program is among the oldest parts of Aurora and most of it was built even before Aurora had its own water department.

Most of the addresses Aurora Water is investigating are homes built prior to1960 in Original Aurora, between 6th Avenue and 25th Avenue and east to west from Yosemite Street to Peoria Street.

The EPA determined that filters effectively reduce lead in drinking water when installed, maintained and used correctly. However, these filters must be used properly. The filters provided by Aurora Water are rated to remove lead when following the manufacturer's directions that are included with the filters. Please note that filters also remove chlorine, so you no longer have protection from bacteria. Be sure to keep any storage containers clean.

Use only cold water for drinking, cooking and especially for making baby formula. Hot water is likely to contain higher levels of lead. Boiling water does not remove lead and can increase the concentration as the water evaporates.

In some cases, Aurora Water may have records indicating the service line material type on the city’s side. However, Aurora Water rarely has records that provide information about the type of material used for the privately owned side of the service line. Therefore, Aurora Water is conducting physical inspection of service lines in the oldest areas of Aurora. Potholing, a process used to create two small holes (approximately 6" wide) over service lines, is used to uncover service lines. Once uncovered, service lines are visually inspected to determine the material type.

Nationally, the use of lead pipes and fittings was phased out by the 1980s, and historically, the burden of replacing lead pipes on private property has fallen on homeowners. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set an aggressive goal for removing all water service lines made of lead or galvanized steel to ensure all people are protected from exposure to lead in drinking water. The cost of replacing the water service lines is a barrier for many of our customers and disproportionally so for underserved areas of cities across the U.S.

Aurora Water is working toward developing a plan for replacement that will take into consideration prioritizing replacements for vulnerable populations (e.g. children and pregnant women) and communities that are underserved and experiencing poorer health outcomes compared to other parts of the city. Federal and state funding is also being explored to supplement the available financial resources for lead and galvanized steel water service line replacements.   

1. Filter water used for drinking, cooking or infant formula. If Aurora Water has investigate your water service line and confirms that it is made of lead or galvanized steel, a water pitcher filter with replacement filters will be provided to building occupants. The filters provided by Aurora Water are rated to remove lead when following the manufacturer's directions included with the filters. Please note, filters also remove chlorine, so you no longer have protection from bacteria. Be sure to keep any storage containers clean.
   
   
2. Let the water run before using it to fill you water pitcher filter for drinking or cooking. If you have a lead service line, let the water run for 3-5 minutes. If you do not have a lead service line, let the water run for 30-60 seconds. The more time water has been sitting in your pipes, the more lead it may contain. You can let the water run before using it by doing household tasks such as showering or running the dishwasher first. Collect tap water for cleaning or watering plants
   
   
3. Hot water releases more lead from pipes than cold water. Boiling water does not reduce lead levels and may actually increase them.
   
   
4. Clean faucet aerators monthly. If you can, remove aerators from the faucets in your home. The aerator is located at the end of the faucet and can be removed by unscrewing it.
   
   To clear the aerator of debris: 
   Unscrew the aerator
   Separate the individual parts inside the aerator
   Soak the parts in white vinegar for five minutes and gently scrub with a brush
   
   
5. Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead and any copper piping with lead solder.
   
   
6.  Always buy plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, sinks, shower heads, hose bibs, etc.) that have zero-lead or low-lead content. Read the labels of any new plumbing fixtures closely.

• Aurora Water will mail a notice to the property owners of buildings constructed prior to 1960 if there are no available records indicating the type of material used for the private side of the water service line. The notice includes a request to sign an Acknowledgement and Agreement Form, which will allow Aurora Water to pothole the privately owned portion of the water service line.
  
  
• Online forms can be found here. Printed copies may also be emailed to LeadReplacement@auroragov.org or mailed to 26791 E. Quincy Ave., Aurora, CO, 80016.
  
  
• After the form is signed and returned to Aurora Water, the property will be scheduled for potholing by Aurora Water's contractor, AGL Construction.
  
  
• AGL will notify property owners and tenants (if applicable) at least 48 hours prior to potholing via a door hanger, email or postcard. Please ensure street access is not blocked in front of your property according to the instructions provided and comply with no parking signs.
  
  
• After the service line has been visually inspected, if the line is determined to be made of either lead or galvanized steel, property occupants will be notified and provided with information about steps to take to minimize exposure to lead, and a water pitcher filter that can be used to filter water for drinking and cooking.
  
  
• Aurora Water will contact the occupants of properties where lead or galvanized water service lines are found and have their water quality tested for lead approximately 30 days after potholing has been completed.
  
  
• Aurora Water or its contractor will schedule with property owners the replacement of water service lines that are confirmed to be made of lead or galvanized steel. Aurora Water is currently developing a schedule for anticipated replacements and more information will be made available in the coming months.

Please visit our website for instructions on how to self-identify a water service line. https://www.auroragov.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=16242704&pageId=20017262. According to state and federal regulations, Aurora Water is still required to verify the service line material.