By Mary Goldmeer
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Homeowners and users of Liberty Utilities water were notified that a recent survey failed to determine the material of service lines leading from property lines to building inlets.

This raised concerns that some of these service lines may contain lead, which can pose health risks.

In Arizona, Liberty Utilities serves the communities of Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Avondale, Glendale, Sierra Vista, Palominas, Whetstone, Hereford-Southern Sunrise, Hereford, Huachuca City, Rio Rico, Gold Canyon, Entrada del Oro, Carefree, Cave Creek and Scottsdale.

The survey was conducted in compliance with a 2024 regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency requiring all utility companies nationwide to identify lead pipes from the water main to the water meter within seven years, with a mandate to replace them within 10 years. This federal initiative aims to reduce lead exposure in drinking water.

In a letter distributed to its users, Liberty Utilities officials noted while it owns the segment of the line from the water main to the property line, the segment from the property line to the building is the responsibility of homeowners.

“Liberty makes appropriate improvements each year to deliver water that meets the Safe Drinking Water Act standards established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality,” stated Moses Thompson, president of Liberty-Arizona in a 2023 water quality report. “We invest responsibly to maintain local water infrastructure because resilient infrastructure is key to providing high-quality, reliable water service.”

As lead exposure can have serious health implications, residents are urged to take immediate action to safeguard their households, especially if their homes were built before 1988.

The utility company has outlined several steps for homeowners to assess and mitigate risks:

• Lead testing for children — Parents are encouraged to contact local health departments or health care providers for lead testing for their children.
• Electrical safety inspection — Homeowners should have a licensed electrician inspect their wiring, especially if grounding wires are connected to plumbing, which may increase corrosion.
• Water treatment cautions — While water softeners and reverse osmosis systems can effectively remove lead, they may also render water more corrosive to plumbing systems. Installation of such systems should be supervised by qualified professionals.

Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects across all age groups. Infants and children may experience decreases in IQ and attention span, as well as new learning and behavior problems or an exacerbation of existing issues.

Additionally, children born to people exposed to lead before or during pregnancy are at increased risk for these adverse health effects. Adults may face heightened risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney or nervous system problems.

To identify the material of service lines, homeowners can hire a plumber, request a home sampling kit or perform a scratch and magnet test.

Lead pipes typically appear dull silver gray, are soft and will not attract a magnet, while galvanized pipes are harder and will attract one. Copper pipes will have a distinct copper color.

“We know our customers rely on us to provide water that is safe to drink, and we take that responsibility seriously,” stated Thompson.

Visit arizona.libertyutilities.com for more information.