Lead water pipes need to be replaced nationwide. NC small towns are struggling with the cost
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to replace millions of lead water pipes across the country, but it's a heavy lift for some small towns like Mount Olive.
There are more than 9 million lead water pipes in the United States, according to the EPA.
The EPA is proposing that towns and cities across the country replace all lead water service lines in the next 10 years. Some larger cities like Newark, New Jersey, and Green Bay, Wisconsin, were able to finish the work in that time frame, but it's more difficult for small towns like Mount Olive short on money and resources.
You can't see, smell or taste lead in your drinking water, but if you have an older home, it could be there. Many of the water pipes in Mount Olive have been in service for decades.
"There are pipes under there that have been there since well before the 80s," said Jeremy King, utilities director with the town of Mount Olive.
North Carolina banned lead service pipes in 1987, but they remain in the ground.
King said the town of Mount Olive is currently counting its actual number of lead pipes.
"We've got a pretty good guesstimate that probably about 40% of the town has got lead," King said.
Lead is a neurotoxin, and lead pipes are the greatest source of lead exposure in drinking water. Excessive exposure to lead can lead to damage to the brain and nervous system, including learning and behavior problems in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The EPA's proposal is designed to prevent public health crises like what happened in Flint, Michigan.
However, replacing lead pipes comes with a hefty price tag.
"I'm pretty sure it's up in the $20 million to $30 million range," King said.
The federal government is providing North Carolina with $47 million to help the process, but King said Mount Olive can't apply for the money until the town's pipe inventory is complete, and there are only two workers to do that.
Jammie Royall, the town manager, said Mount Olive just doesn't have the tax base to pay for these improvements.
"We don't have the funds that larger cities have," said Royall. "We've got about 4,500 to 4,700 actual residents."
It's not just pipes that need replacing; it's also pipe parts like goosenecks, connectors and galvanized pipes, which are downstream from lead pipes.
King said the price will impact everyone in the town – and their water bills.
"We're having to raise water rates to be able to help do this, so that's going to affect the customer on every level," he said.
The water in Mount Olive is tested regularly and is safe to drink, and public utilities are required to report any unsafe water levels.
The EPA expects to finalize the pipe replacement proposal by October.
