The Knox City Council members heard an update last week on the inventory of lead lines.
Representatives from Abonmarche provided the update who explained that there is a rule that goes back to 1985 to get rid of lead service lines in water infrastructure inventory. The service line is a section from the water main in the street to a consumer’s house. In the past, lead used to be a part of the manufacturing and the connection of pipes to complete service. It was determined by the EPA that lead is very unsafe and there are grant dollars available to assist communities with the eradication and replacement of any water infrastructure that contains lead.
As of Tuesday, October 22, there have not been any lead pipes found in the City of Knox which Abonmarche officials say is very good compared to many other municipalities they have worked with in the identification and inventory of lead pipes.
They have been working with the city for a year-and-a-half to develop an inventory and putting data in the GIS of the water main, curb stops, valves, hydrants and more and put into a digital format to share with consumers. They will be going door-to-door soon asking to get more information for the inventory to get a better map for the inventory. They will be properly identified with vests and badges to obtain the information inside a home. They will be going around homes in November.
There is an interactive website here. A survey is available here for all Knox residents to take just to give more information to Abonmarche to put into the inventory. Pictures can be uploaded in that survey.
The representatives did say the Knox Water Department is meeting and exceeding IDEM requirements, but they want to have the most data possible.
Mayor Dennis Estok encourages residents to take the survey.
