Neighbors, please see this update from Denver Water on the progress of the lead reduction program throughout the city and some helpful links below to answer questions you may have.
Virtual community meetings
Since June 11, we’ve hosted many virtual community meetings to share information about our Lead Reduction Program and answer questions. If you were able to join us for one of these meetings, thank you! If you were unable to attend but want to learn more about the program, go to Denver Water’s website to watch a video recording of your neighborhood’s community meeting.
Filter Tips
Are you using your water pitcher and filter for cooking? In addition to using filtered water for drinking and preparing infant formula, you should use filtered water when cooking a dish, such as rice, beans and soup, where water is a base ingredient or absorbed into the food. It is fine to use unfiltered water for all other uses, such as showering, bathing, laundry, irrigation, dishwashing, etc.
Here are some tips to get the most out of your water pitcher and filter: If your water has not been used for several hours — such as first thing in the morning or if you’ve been away at work — run your faucet for five minutes before filling your water pitcher. You also can run the dishwasher, take a shower or do a load of laundry to help flush out water in your internal plumbing. Keep an extra water container filled with filtered water on the counter so you’re ready to cook any water-based meals or make infant formula, but remember to keep your filter in a cool, dry and dark place like the refrigerator. Â
Anticipated 2020 Work Area Map
Wondering if your neighborhood is scheduled for lead service line replacement work in 2020? We’ve posted a map on Denver Water’s website showing areas where crews will be doing lead service line replacements this year. In addition to replacing lead service lines in the neighborhoods shown on this map, Denver Water also is deploying crews to replace lead service lines at critical facilities, including schools, day care centers and other locations.
Program Dashboard
If you’d like to stay updated on the progress of the Lead Reduction Program, you can now view our Program Dashboard. The dashboard provides information about the number of lead service lines replaced, service lines investigated and water pitchers and filters distributed.
Denver Water in the news
Denver Water looking to replace service lines for over 60,000 homes in Lead Reduction Program – CPR
Denver’s plan to eliminate lead pipes – Waterloop
WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED: In July 2020, Denver Water partnered with two community organizations, iNOW and CREA Results. These organizations will be working to share information on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood in multiple languages through our Ambassador Program. In April 2020, Denver Water launched its pilot reimbursement program for property owners who want to replace their lead service line at their own expense. To qualify for a partial reimbursement for a service line replacement, applicants must meet requirements set by Denver Water. In March 2020, Denver Water launched a new section on its website dedicated to information about lead in drinking water and the Lead Reduction Program. This new section features an interactive map where you can type in your address and see if your property is one of the potential homes with a lead service line. Since March 2020, the pH levels have been increased to a target of 8.8 throughout all of Denver Water’s distribution system, which helps prevent lead from getting into the water as it passes through lead pipes, plumbing and fixtures. Read our TAP story to learn more about this milestone. Denver Water began sending information packets to customers enrolled in the Lead Reduction Program in March 2020.
IMPORTANT LINKS
Other sources of lead in the home
For more information on other sources of lead in your house, please visit www.colorado.gov/cdphe/lead-what-are-common-sources.