Margaret Fosmoe and Erin Blasko, South Bend Tribune
Although lead service lines exist in some area municipal water systems, it’s a far different situation than Flint, Mich., and the lead lines don’t pose a hazard to consumers.
That’s according to water works managers for several area cities, including South Bend, Mishawaka and Goshen.
Nearly 100,000 customers of Indiana’s largest water systems have service lines made of lead or lead components, according to an Indianapolis Star analysis of responses by Hoosier cities to an Indiana Department of Environmental Management survey. The Star report was prompted by the lead-poisoned water in Flint, Mich., and new federal regulations on lead drinking water that are expected next year.
After analyzing 91 of Indiana’s largest water systems, the newspaper determined that an estimated 8 percent have lead or lead components in service lines. But the statewide total could be much higher.
IDEM’s top drinking water regulator told The Star she understands the problem because her hometown is among those with a high percentage. The old lead pipes need replaced eventually, Mary Hollingsworth said, but it may not be feasible to do it quickly.
“Unless a lot of money is provided for utilities to replace the lead lines, we will not have 0 percent,” Hollingsworth told The Star. “I don’t like 8 percent; I would like 0. But I don’t know if that’s attainable now.”
In South Bend, there are about 41,000 water service lines leading into homes and businesses. An estimated 24,000, or 59 percent, of the lines are lead, according to Eric Horvath, director of Public Works.