TOLEDO, Ohio — A city initiative to ensure the safety of Toledo's water distribution system is in its final push for residents to take advantage of cost-free lead line service line replacement.
City of Toledo leadership announced Tuesday that due in part to a deadline for federal rescue plan funds, residents will have until the end of 2023 to apply for no-cost replacement of customer-owned lead pipelines.
The program, funded by $10 million from Toledo Recovery funds as part of the Toledo Recovery Plan, aims to replace all customer-owned lead service lines by the end of 2026. According to the city, it is on track to eliminate around 3,000 of those service lines.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz addressed what he described as potential hesitation from residents to allow city crews into their homes and encouraged citizens to apply for assistance.
“Please let us help, let us eliminate the possibility of a lead hazard once and for all from your drinking water," Kapszukiewicz said. "Let us pay for what is actually, technically, the citizen’s responsibility. But we need the citizens to allow us to test.”
Todd Saums, the city of Toledo's commissioner of water distribution, demonstrated a way for residents to test at home.
Copper pipes have a distinctive look, similar to a penny. Magnets will stick to galvanized pipes, which are made of iron or steel, Saums said.
While galvanized pipes may begin to look similar to lead pipes with age, magnets will not stick to lead pipes. If the surface of a pipe is scratched and reveals a shiny silver underneath, the pipe also is likely to be lead.
Residents can also schedule a free, 5-minute evaluation by calling Engage Toledo at 419-936-2020. If lead pipes are identified, Engage Toledo will help residents sign up for free replacement.
The deadline to register for no-cost lead line replacement is the end of 2023.
Residents who identify customer-owned services after 2023 will be responsible for the cost of the replacement.
According to the city, the typical cost for replacement service is $4,000 to $5,000.
To register for cost-free lead service line replacement, find out how to test your water line or apply for replacement, visit toledo.oh.gov/leadlines.
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