Officials find more than 1,000 service lines in need of replacement in Topeka

TOPEKA ( KSNT ) – City of Topeka officials have completed a historical review of the pipes running beneath the streets and buildings of the Capital City.

Dan Garret, City of Topeka spokesman, said in a press release that officials with the cities Utilities Department have completed a Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI). This is required by the Environmental Protection Agency’s ( EPA ) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions ( LCRR ) for its water systems.

City staff conducted surveys, field checks and a historical records review to identify the types of pipes in Topeka. Their findings include:

• 291 lead service lines.
• 810 galvanized lines.
• 3,112 lines made of an unknown material.
• 53,592 service lines made of non-lead material.

“We are proud to be part of the national effort to better protect communities from exposure to lead in drinking water,” said Topeka Utilities Director Sylvia Davis.

The City of Topeka’s Utilities Department plans to work and identify the remaining unknown service lines over the next three years. City staff also plan to begin replacing the lead service lines and galvanized lines required replacement.

Water systems are required to make their initial inventories publicly accessible under the LCRR. The map for Topeka can be found by clicking here .

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