ARTICLE

Lead Service Lines: What Your Community Should Know

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is now requiring municipalities and water service providers to inventory their service line materials.

In an effort to protect public health and reduce exposure to lead in drinking water, inventories must be completed and available to the public by October 16, 2024. 

Service lines are the pipes between the water mains and the main plumbing shut-off valve inside the foundation walls of homes and are constructed of lead, galvanized steel, copper or plastic. As of 1986, the use of lead for water piping is banned by the EPA due to the harmful effects of lead exposure. 

Harmful Effects of Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is harmful to your health, even at low exposure levels. Lead can enter drinking water by leaching from pipe surfaces.

Children are especially vulnerable to lead—the physical and behavioral effects occur at lower exposure levels in children than in adults. Even low levels of lead in the blood can result in problems with behavior, learning and physical effects, and in rare cases could lead to death. 

The harmful effects in adults can include decreased cardiovascular and kidney function, and issues with reproduction. Lead can also have serious effects in pregnant women, including reduced growth of the fetus or premature birth.

Funding Assistance for Replacement

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and State Revolving Loan Fund are providing financing and potential loan forgiveness to communities throughout the state to replace service lines comprised of lead and certain galvanized steel. One of those communities receiving loan forgiveness is the City of Galena in northwest Illinois. Origin Design has partnered with the City to identify and replace a large portion of those identified service lines in their water distribution system. Approximately 300 service lines will be replaced in the first phase of construction.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and State Revolving Loan Fund are also implementing a new financing program to help communities replace service lines in their distribution systems. The State of Iowa’s program is utilizing Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Bill funds from the federal government to provide low interest loans, as well as providing loan forgiveness to qualifying disadvantaged communities. One community taking advantage of this program is the City of Dubuque. Origin Design has partnered with the City to develop replacement plans for approximately 5,000 lines.

Government Engineering Municipal Water Resources
WORKING ON TOMORROW
CONTACT US

Does your community need assistance in determining if your drinking water is safe from lead exposure? Origin can assist you to both inventory your lead service lines and apply for grant assistance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a Civil Engineer and Project Manager on Origin Design's Municipal Team, Chris regularly designs streets and utilities. He has also worked with City Administrators and Public Works Directors on various types of projects throughout his career, and he takes great pride in the relationships he has built.

Follow our journey.

#werehiring

We're looking for a creative and driven individual to join our Marketing Team. Do you have experience in the A/E/C industry and looking for your next opportunity to lead marketing efforts and drive firm wide growth?

Learn more and apply now


#creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #yourfuturestartshere

#workingontomorrow

Our structural engineers recently assisted JLG Architects with this middle school addition in Alexandria, MN. Learn more about the project here.

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow


Chris Huseman is celebrating 30 years at Origin Design! We're so lucky to have you on our #origincrew! Happy Anniversary, Chris!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #itstartshere

#workingontomorrow

We partnered with Logistics Park on the design and construction of a new tower at their East Dubuque operations. 3D scanning was utilized to create a point cloud model of the existing tower. 

Check out these completed photos of the project & learn more here: https://origindesign.com/.../logistics-park-conveyor...

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

Today (& everyday), we celebrate the administrative professionals who keep Origin Design running smoothly. Your hard work and dedication are appreciated! We truly couldn't do what we do without you!

#AdministrativeProfessionalsDay #origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow

#workingontomorrow

Ever wondered what a storm water pumping station looks like while under construction? Check out these photos from the Maquoketa Storm Water System Improvements project.

Origin Design partnered with the City of Maquoketa and East Central Intergovernmental Association [ECIA] on this project which received funding from Public Assistance Grants from the US Economic Development Administration.

Learn more about the project here.

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow

Meet our Architecture team!

At Origin Design, we believe architecture and creative design extend beyond the building to capture the spirit of its surroundings, personality of its users and the needs of our clients.

Our architects work directly with our clients to design spaces that are visually exciting and creative, secure, efficient and innovative.

We're lucky to have this talented group of individuals on our #origincrew!

#architectureweek #creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #itstartshere

#workingontomorrow

Check out these photos of the Smith Street Bridge over Bear Creek in Shellsburg, Iowa!

Our transportation team worked with the City of Shellsburg to help determine the best outcome for this historic bridge. The result being the addition of a new vehicular bridge downstream, while the existing bridge was rehabilitated into a pedestrian bridge.

Learn more about the project here.

#creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #itstartshere

Happy 5th Anniversary, Mike McNeil! We're so lucky to have you on our #origincrew! Join us in congratulating Mike on reaching this milestone!

#origindesign #creatingabettertomorrow #itstartshere

#workingontomorrow

Check out these finished photos of the Business 151 project we completed in Platteville, Wisconsin. This 2.1-mile-long project was funded with HSIP funds to create a safer corridor of Business 151 from Staley Avenue to Insight Drive including the signalized intersection of Business 151 with State Highway 80/81.

Learn more about the project here.

#creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #itstartshere

Happy Land Surveyors Week!

Our team of Professional Land Surveyors and Surveying Technical Specialist round out our Land Survey Team!

Land surveyors ensure precise property boundaries, prevent legal disputes, and provide critical data for safe, compliant construction. They navigate zoning laws, use advanced tech like GPS and drones for accuracy, and help promote sustainable development. Surveyors are essential to every successful project!

#LandSurveying #Surveyorsweek

#workingontomorrow

Origin Design's Land Survey team recently assisted with The Key Hotel site. We presented various options for modifying the parking lot, ultimately reconfiguring it for better flow in and out of the project site. An interim design was also created to support operations until full funding is secured for complete reconstruction.

Learn more about the project here

#creatingabettertomorrow #origindesign #surveyorsweek

See all posts