Athens Borough Line Replacement
Athens Borough Lead and Galvanized Service Line Replacement Project
Aqua Pennsylvania’s mission is protecting and providing earth’s most essential resource. That includes protecting customers drinking water from contaminants like lead. While regulatory standards mandate our drinking water meets all current requirements as it enters and moves through our distribution (pipes) system, some lead can enter customers’ drinking water from their service lines, which are pipes that carry water from our mains (pipes) in the street into homes. Lead may even enter drinking water from appliances within the home.
Service lines can be thought of as being split into two portions, a customer-owned portion and a utility-owned portion. The utility-owned portion extends from the water main (pipe) in the street to the curb box/valve at the curb line/property line. The customer-owned portion extends from the curb box/valve at the curb line/property line to the customer’s structure.
In order to address this topic, we’re currently working on a Lead and Galvanized Service Line Replacement project. As part of this replacement project, we will survey and identify customers with unknown service line material in Athens Township, Athens Borough, Sayre Borough, and South Waverly Borough. Replacements will initially only occur within Athens Borough.. Other municipalities will be replaced during subsequent projects. Over the next one-to-two years, you may see contracted plumbers in these communities replacing services on roughly 400 homes and businesses that we have identified as having lead and galvanized service lines, as well as identifying services with an unknown material.
As part of our Lead Service Line Replacement Program, replacements are done at no direct cost to Aqua customers. We continue to research opportunities for grants and low-interest loans to support these and other programs.
Aqua will contact customers to schedule a service line replacement. To ensure customer safety, do not permit access by any contractor or plumber without prior notice and proper identification.
Below you will find some helpful information to address questions you may have about the project.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve your community.
Marc A. Lucca,
President, Aqua Pennsylvania
FAQs
What is the project and why is it important?
Aqua’s mission is protecting and providing earth’s most essential resource which includes delivery of safe, reliable drinking water to our customers. Lead has been connected to serious health complications, especially in young children. While our current treatment practices ensure our drinking water meets all regulatory standards in our distribution system, some local homes have been identified as having lead and galvanized service lines. Through our Lead Service Line Replacement Program, we are replacing these customer-owned lines at NO DIRECT COST to the customer.
Is it safe to drink while I wait for replacement?
My pipe has been identified as lead or galvanized. Is it safe to drink while I wait for replacement? What may I expect as part of the pipe replacement?
Results of our laboratory testing program shows our drinking water meets the current requirements through careful water treatment which minimizes the potential for corrosion of lead and copper into our customer’s drinking water. Even so, we believe it is in the best interest of our customers to further mitigate risk by replacing these service lines with more modern materials.
Prior to the replacement, Aqua will provide customers a kit which includes a water filter (pitcher or tap filter) approved by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and six months of replacement filters. The kit also includes two water sampling bottles, one to sample before replacement and one to sample after the replacement. We will provide instructions on using the water sampling materials.
What is a customer-owned service line?
Service lines are split into two portions, a customer-owned portion and a utility-owned portion. The utility-owned portion extends from the water main in the street to the curb box/valve at the curb line/property line. The customer-owned portion extends from the curb box/valve at the curb line/property line to the customer’s structure. An infographic is pictured below.
Will my service be interrupted?
Since this work is focused on customer-owned service lines, only the properties identified for replacement will be impacted. We do not anticipate any other water service interruptions. Those properties identified for service line replacement will be asked to schedule a date for the work to occur. In certain cases, excavation will be necessary on sidewalks used by the public. Aqua will repair those areas after completion of the pipe replacement.
When will the work take place?
The project begins in July 2024 and has a two-year construction window. We will make every effort to complete this work as soon as possible, including replacing service lines and repairing the ground where excavation was needed. All work will typically be done Monday Through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Will there be any work on my property?
Only the properties identified for customer-owned service line replacement will be impacted. For those property owners, the service lines will be replaced at no direct cost by a contracted plumber. The plumber will coordinate with the property owner to schedule the replacement.
I'm concerned about lead exposure. What can I do?
While water tests show Aqua Pennsylvania’s drinking water meets current regulatory standards, we understand you may still have concerns. If so, we have listed some options below:
- Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead.
- Visit the EPA at EPA.gov/lead for more information on the health effects of lead or reducing lead exposure in your home.
- Call Aqua at 877.987.2782 for information about testing your water.
Additional information can be found below:
This information contains regulatorily required or recommended language and nothing herein is intended as, nor should be construed as, a promise of or contract for payment or reimbursement of expenses incurred for any action you take on account of this information.