The crisis in Flint occurred because the community switched to a new water source and did not implement a corrosion control program. The new water source did not contain lead but it was highly corrosive and lead leached out of the existing pipes, including thousands of full lead service lines. We are fortunate not to have any known full lead service lines and only a limited number of lead-containing goosenecks.

Yes. We have tested for lead in single-family homes built between 1983-1986 since 1992. Our levels have always been far below the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards and have been communicated in our annual Water Quality Report since 1999.

The EPA's Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) requires drinking water providers to monitor for lead and copper in customer premise plumbing on a frequency between six months and three years, depending on system size and detected lead and copper concentrations in residential sampling. 

The Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) issues annual sampling requirements for public water suppliers. We are required to collect samples from a minimum of 50 Tier 1 sites, which for Fort Collins Utilities, are currently defined as single-family residences that contain copper pipe with lead solder, installed between 1983-1986.

Action levels for soluble lead and copper in “first draw” samples are 0.015 and 1.3 mg/L, respectively. The 90th percentile concentrations of lead and copper results are compared to the action levels to determine compliance.

The Fort Collins Utilities Water Quality Laboratory (WQL) coordinates the annual lead and copper sampling program in cooperation with eligible participating customers. The WQL assembles and delivers sample kits and following printed sampling instructions, customers collect a ‘first draw” water sample. Staff then pick up the samples, which are processed and analyzed at the lab.

All test results are managed in the WQL Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Customers are notified of their test results by letter and a full report is provided to CDPHE by the monitoring period deadline. Aggregated 90th percentile results are also communicated to Utilities' customers through the annual Water Quality Report.

The standard testing procedure, however, will not tell us if a home has a lead gooseneck. It is very complicated to test for the presence of a gooseneck. The only sure way to know if a home has a lead gooseneck is to dig through a road and look at the pipes below, which is referred to as potholing.

We have reached out to other utilities throughout the nation who have managed similar projects. Given the limitations of testing tap water, one utility tested the effect of a gooseneck in a laboratory setting and found there to be little to no impact on lead levels in drinking water.

Today almost everyone is exposed to environmental lead. Exposure to lead and lead chemicals can occur through inhalation, ingestion, dermal absorption, absorption from retained or embedded leaded foreign body, and trans-placental (endogenous) routes.

Learn More from the CDC

There is no known safe level of lead exposure, and lead can build up in the body over time. Children younger than six years old are most at risk due to their rapid rate of growth and ongoing brain development. Exposure to lead can cause damage to the brain, nervous system, red blood cells, and kidneys. Lead also has the potential to cause lower IQs, hearing impairments, reduced attention span, hyperactivity, developmental delays, and poor classroom performance. Pregnant women and their fetuses are especially vulnerable to lead exposure since lead can significantly harm the fetus, causing lower birth weight and slowing normal mental and physical developments.  

CDC’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is dedicated to eliminating childhood lead poisoning as a public health problem through strengthening blood lead testing, reporting, and surveillance, linking exposed children to recommended services, and targeted population-based interventions. Please visit the CDC for comprehensive information about nationwide efforts to reduce lead exposure. Click here to see the CDC Childhood Blood Lead Surveillance Data.

Learn More

The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) was first issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1991 as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is the primary state agency responsible for implementing the SDWA.

The purpose of the LCR is to protect public health by minimizing lead and copper exposure in drinking water. In support of this goal, public water providers have several requirements:

1. Implement a corrosion control program
2. Maintain an inventory of pipe materials in the distribution system
3. Collect and test tap water samples from sites that are most likely to have plumbing materials containing lead
4. Educate customers about lead in drinking water, including public notice of lead and copper testing results in the annual Consumer Confidence Report (Water Quality Report)
5. Implement a replacement program for lead service lines, if applicable

In 2019, the EPA released draft revisions to the LCR that include: 

• Identifying the areas most impacted
• Strengthening drinking water treatment requirements
• Replacing lead service lines
• Increasing sampling reliability
• Improving risk communications
• Protecting children in schools and childcare facilities

As a result of these revisions, Fort Collins Utilities will:

• Update lead service line inventory to identify service lines whose materials were previously undetermined 
• Prioritize the removal of lead elements in the distribution system
• Increase communications to customers about lead in the distribution system and the actions planned to remove any lead
• Collaborate with school and childcare facilities - a lot of work has already been completed by Poudre School District. Learn more.
• Potentially increase testing and sampling requirement

Learn More about the LCR

Corrosion occurs when a metal surface like the wall of a pipe or the soldered joints react with water. In drinking water systems, metals like lead and copper can be released into the water through a series of complex biochemical reactions that depend on the pipe material and the quality of the water present. 

We first implemented corrosion control measures in the early 1980s, prior to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) requirements enacted in 1991. The program has been refined over the years, with the objective of providing very stable levels of pH and alkalinity in finished water leaving the Water Treatment Facility. While the emphasis of the program was initially for copper corrosion reduction, the changes also helped to minimize the potential for lead release from metallic pipes, specifically galvanized service lines, and from old lead-tin solder in premise plumbing. 

Corrosion control measures applied today at the Water Treatment Facility consists of the addition of lime and carbon dioxide for alkalinity and pH adjustments, respectively. All treated drinking water at the point of entry into the distribution system (leaving the plant) has alkalinity concentrations between 36.0-40.0 mg/L CaCO3 and pH between 7.80 – 8.00.

• pH: the measure of how acidic or basic water is on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, less than 7 being acidic and greater than 7 being basic
• Alkalinity: the capacity of water to resist changes in pH

Learn More

Poudre School District (PSD) schools do not have lead gooseneck connections because goosenecks are not used to connect larger water service lines to the water mains. PSD has been upgrading plumbing systems since 1986 in compliance with the Clean Drinking Water Act and has been proactively identifying and removing potential sources of lead. PSD’s proactive actions include water sampling in schools throughout 2017-2018 and upgrading plumbing fixtures and appurtenances. For questions regarding PSD actions or sampling, contact 970-490-3333. 

Galvanized service lines are steel pipes coated with zinc to prevent rust and corrosion. Galvanized service lines were used as an alternative to lead pipes. Very few galvanized service lines were installed after the 1950s in the Utilities' service area. 

If a customer has a lead gooseneck/galvanized service line or service line of undetermined material, Fort Collins Utilities will replace the Utilities-owned portion of the water service line (between the water main and curb stop) at no direct cost to the customer. 

Crews will first work through neighborhoods 'pothole,' or drill a small hole, where the water service line meets the water main to determine if there is a lead gooseneck. Customers with lead goosenecks/galvanized service lines will be notified when their water services line is scheduled for replacement via letter and email (if there is an email address on file) with several weeks' advance notice. 

Where possible, this work might be combined with other Utilities water projects in the area. Replacement varies depending on several factors (a few weeks to several months). 

There are several steps to the replacement process, as outlined below:

1. Water Sampling: Utilities Water Quality Lab may conduct water quality sampling prior to any work to help us better understand the effects, if any, of water service line material on water quality. If staff are conducting water sampling, they will draw water samples from an outside spigot. Homeowners do not need to be present, but you will be notified in advance of the sampling. Staff also will draw another sample if the service line is replaced.
2. Investigation: Fort Collins Utilities crews or contractors will be out to locate any underground utilities and later (possibly several days), another crew will ‘pothole,’ or drill a small hole, near where the water service line attaches to the water main in the street to determine the service line material. Following the potholing, you will receive a door hanger letting you know the results and next steps.
3. Replacement: If it is determined that you have a galvanized steel water service line and/or lead gooseneck, crews will return at a later time to replace the service line from the main to the curb stop at no direct cost to you. You will receive a letter and/or email prior to the service line replacement letting you know what to expect.
4. Restoration: If landscaping is disturbed during the replacement, it will be restored at no direct cost to you within approximately four weeks of the completed replacement,
   weather permittin. The landscape may take several months to reestablish, especially if
   work is done in the fall or winter.

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