Major U.S. City Launches Lead Service Line Replacement Program

A long-awaited program to help improve the safety of Chicago’s drinking water was recently launched. In September, the voluntary Lead Service Line Replacement Program was introduced with two methods of lead (Pb) line replacement, the Equity Lead Service Line Replacement Program for low-income residents and the Homeowner-Initiated Lead Service Line Replacement Program.

According to a news release about the initiative, “Under the Equity Lead Service Line Replacement Program, qualifying homeowners will have their lead service line replaced all the way from the water main into the home by contractors paid fully by the City. Per the Municipal Code, the service line beginning at the water main to the external shut-off valve, usually located under the parkway, is owned and maintained by the City. From the external shut-off valve into the home, the service line is the property and responsibility of homeowners.”

While lead is rarely found in source water, it can enter the water supply as it comes in contact with plumbing materials that contain it. In most circumstances, lead enters tap water through the corrosion of these materials, which can include service lines. Lead can also leach from lead pipes, solder, and brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures that are in the actual home, especially when hot water is involved.

“This is an important program for the residents of Chicago as it has been reported that there are some 380,000 lead service lines in use throughout the area,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Chicago is not alone in having contamination concerns over water service lines made of lead. It’s an issue in large and small cities across the nation. This is why EMSL offers lead testing services and test kits from dozens of our laboratories across North America, including our laboratory in the Chicago area. Testing straight out of the tap is the only way to know for sure what is in the water you are drinking.”

EMSL has also sponsored an educational video about lead in drinking water that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/2kvtAcpw1MY.

To learn more about lead or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . To access a Drinking Water Test Kit, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with 45 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail