Lincoln City Council approves $32.6 million loan to replace lead pipes

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln City Council unanimously voted on Monday to accept a $32.6 million loan to replace more than 6,000 lead pipes in the city.

It’s part of a new rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which seeks to replace every lead water pipe in the nation.

An estimated 53,230 pipes would need to be replaced across Nebraska over the next decade, according to an EPA assessment published in April.

The Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department said the city doesn’t have any lead pipes; they are only on private property.

And most are in homes that were built between the 1910s and 1950s.

The project aims to end the practice of supplying drinking water to homes through toxic lead pipes, which pose potential health threats.

“There are certain health risks, especially for vulnerable populations,” said Liz Elliott, the director of LTU.

She said young children, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised are at risk.

“It could just be a number of health issues that we want to make sure we aren’t adding to any issues that they may have,” Elliott said.

Replacing lead pipes will cost the homeowner nothing; you only have to give permission for it to be done.

If you are unsure whether your home has lead pipes, don’t fret.

LTU will soon start to survey areas to see if homes have lead pipes.

The city is working to put together a map, and it will also be reaching out to affected homeowners.

As of right now, the program is planned to last a decade.