New London replacing lead pipes

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) — New London is getting the lead out of pipes.

Friday, the state’s top health official, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, celebrated this first-in-the-state project.

“This is about the kids,” Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani said.

She was among those praising New London’s proactive efforts to get the lead out.

“Lead is a killer,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said. “Lead is a hidden killer.”

Lead exposure can cause brain damage, learning and behavioral difficulties, as well as other developmental disabilities especially — in very young children who are exposed to it.

That is why the city started this project to remove lead service lines leading to homes.

“I do have two kids, a 6-year-old and an 8-year-old, boys,” New London resident Henry Torres said. ”We use the water all the time. We need it, so I’m glad they’re doing this.”

Through testing, the city identified about 150 homes that still have lead pipes leading from the house to the shut-off valve near the curb, or from the shut-off valve to the water main, or both. All lead lines are being replaced.

“New London has been a leader in this a model,” said Dave Cash, the New England Regional Administrator for the EPA. “Not just in Connecticut, not just in New England, but nationwide.”

The EPA is providing a $6.9 million grant to New London to help pay for this project. That’s part of the $99 million the state is getting to remove lead pipes.

Cities and towns stopped using lead service lines in the mid 80s, but the problem is a lot of them were still in the ground. That’s why the city took action.

“We need many other places in the state of Connecticut to do this as well, because again, no amount of lead is good,” Juthani said.

The grant money coming through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is expected to fund the replacement of up to 9 million lead pipes nationwide.

In New London, 77 of the 150 lead service lines have now been replaced.

“There’s still a lot more work to do in terms of really getting this job done once and for all,” Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) said.

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