Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Water Authority announced on Tuesday the early release of its first public-facing residential service line inventory map for residents in the City of Buffalo.
Releasing one year ahead of schedule, Buffalo is one of the first cities in the nation to deploy this cutting-edge initiative that will help residents identify potential lead service lines (LSL) in their neighborhoods. The map comes ahead of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) requirement, and is accessible to Buffalo Water customers through an online platform called Get Water Wise Buffalo.
"Buffalo Water is improving transparent communication in our operations. Releasing Buffalo’s first public-facing service line inventory map one year ahead of the EPA requirement is significant to informing Buffalo Water customers so they can take the recommended action that helps identify homes with lead service lines," said Buffalo Water general manager O.J. McFoy during Tuesday's announcement at the the Colonel Ward Pumping Station on Porter Avenue. "Buffalo Water is actively replacing lead service lines in the City. I want to thank Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Open Buffalo, and Citizen Action of New York for helping share information about our Replace Old Lead Lines (ROLL) program with our community and advocating and supporting an early release of the map. We urge Buffalo homeowners and renters to take the online service line survey at getwaterwisebuffalo.org."
The primary objective of the service line inventory map is to identify neighborhoods or homes with lead material in their drinking water pipes, which are called service lines. With heightened awareness around the health risks associated with lead in homes, Buffalo Water's newly released map will inform City of Buffalo residents about the presence of lead service lines in their neighborhoods.
The service line inventory map will be a living document, continuously updated and improved as the Lead Service Line Replacement project progresses, ensuring that residents can access the most up-to-date information.
Last month, the EPA proposed a new rule that requires lead service lines across the country to be replaced within 10 years.
"Buffalo residents continue to enjoy some of the safest drinking water anywhere, and today we are one of the first cities in the nation to deploy a cutting-edge initiative that will help residents identify lead service lines in homes," said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown in a statement. "I thank Buffalo Water, Veolia, 120 Water, Blue Conduit, Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Citizen Action and Open Buffalo for their commitment to the Get Water Wise Buffalo initiative as we continue to invest heavily in programs that safeguard children from being poisoned by lead. By sharing information about where lead pipes are located, we will help residents take the steps necessary to protect themselves from lead exposure."
Among the key highlights of Buffalo's lead service line inventory map includes:
1.) Identification of lead service line areas
The map identifies neighborhoods where lead service lines are known to exist and areas where the service line material is still unknown. This information is crucial for lead service line replacement projects that will occur in the City of Buffalo.
2.) Continuous updates
Buffalo Water is committed to transparency and will regularly update the map as more information becomes available during the Lead Service Line Replacement project.
3.) Actionable steps
Currently, there are several homes and neighborhoods where the service line material is unknown. Buffalo Water needs all Buffalo residents, regardless of whether they're homeowners or renters, to take the service line survey, which is available online at Getwaterwisebuffalo.org. Participation is essential in identifying homes with lead service lines. The more surveys Buffalo Water receives, the better they can accurately improve and update the service line inventory map. Residents are also encouraged to participate in the 311 Tap-Sampling program. More information is available at Getwaterwisebuffalo.org.
4.) Lead service line replacement progress
Buffalo Water will share updates on the number of lead service lines replaced in Buffalo to inform the community about the project's progress and success.
To develop the map, Buffalo Water managing company Veolia and digital water company 120Water worked alongside Buffalo Water and GHD to identify and compile current and historical records to create the Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI), a requirement recently assigned by the EPA.
120Water is the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) database of record for Buffalo Water. The organization has engaged directly with the community for lead sampling, communication, and public outreach for capital replacement work. Earlier this year, 120Water also released the public-wide service line survey to identify all services in the City of Buffalo.
The Buffalo Water Authority has been actively identifying homes with LSLs through the Replace Old Lead Lines (ROLL) program, the Capital Improvement program, which replaces thousands of feet of watermains each year, and the 311 Tap Sampling Program.
Buffalo Water has also utilized Get Water Wise Buffalo, an affordable water bill assistance initiative, to actively engage the community and share information about Buffalo's Lead Service Line Replacement project. As of Nov. 30, 2023, Buffalo Water has replaced 1,965 lead service lines with construction on watermains and service line replacements happening daily.
Lead material is no longer permitted for use in water service lines. Buffalo Water uses ductile iron for its watermains, but many private homes in Buffalo were constructed with lead service lines connected to city watermains.
As a result of historic construction practices, many homes throughout the city still have LSLs supplying water into the homes. However, Buffalo Water uses corrosion control treatment to combat the risks associated with LSLs. The treatment creates a protective barrier along the inside walls of the LSLs, largely preventing lead from entering the water.
Although this practice is efficient, some homes could still test positive for lead in water due to LSL disturbance or lead plumbing inside the home. Flushing water lines is recommended for homes with LSLs and lead plumbing.
Buffalo Water urges anyone concerned about lead in their drinking water to contact them immediately at (716)-847-1065.