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Get the Lead Out - Public Education Program
Important Information about the possibility of lead in your drinking water
Lead in the Environment
Lead is a naturally occurring metal that can be toxic to humans and animals if ingested. It can be found in the air, soil, water, and inside of our homes. Lead has been used in many products found around the home in the form of paint, ceramics, plumbing materials, gasoline, batteries, and cosmetics. When lead is released into the air, it can travel long distances before settling to the ground.Lead and Drinking Water
Although the majority of lead exposure comes from sources around the home and in the environment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that between 10 - 20% of lead exposure comes from drinking water.
Shawano's water does not have lead present when it leaves our wells, but can be contaminated as it travels through lead service pipes that have started to corrode over time. You can easily determine if your water service line is lead by inspecting the water line entering your home from the street, usually located in the basement.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to the amount of lead that enters your drinking water, including the corosivity of the water, the temperature of the water as it passes through the pipes, and the length of time the water stays in the pipes. Hot water and water that has been sitting in the pipes for long periods of time are more likely to pick up contaminants from the pipes and fixtures.
The City of Shawano is viewing this as an opportunity to continue to further educate the community about the danger of lead and what they can do to determine if their home is affected to minimize any risk, as well as develop ways for the utility and municipality to eliminate lead from the drinking water system.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to the amount of lead that enters your drinking water, including the corosivity of the water, the temperature of the water as it passes through the pipes, and the length of time the water stays in the pipes. Hot water and water that has been sitting in the pipes for long periods of time are more likely to pick up contaminants from the pipes and fixtures.
What the City of Shawano is Doing about Lead
The City of Shawano is viewing this as an opportunity to continue to further educate the community about the danger of lead and what they can do to determine if their home is affected to minimize any risk, as well as develop ways for the utility and municipality to eliminate lead from the drinking water system.
The City of Shawano tests the drinking water each year for contaminants, including lead, to ensure that your drinking water continues to be safe to drink. During our 2020 sample testing, we completed thorough testing on twenty different properties. Upon completion of these tests, three isolated lead exceedances were detected at residential locations. The City proceeded to then extensively test its source water at the wells, with no lead being detected from these secondary tests. Therefore, we can confidently determine that the lead exceedances are coming from either the public or private side of the lead water services into the residential location or possibly from lead piping or fixtures within the residences.
Each year, the Shawano Public Works Department works to replace some of the water service lines throughout the city that have lead service laterals. In 2020, the utility removed nearly 5% of known public lead service lines. Another 40% of known public lead service lines will be replaced in 2021. This effort will continue until all lead has been removed from the public drinking water system. When the Public Works Department is completing street reconstruction projects in your area, you may be notified by letter to encourage you to replace your privately owned portion of the water service line at the same time. Your costs will generally be lower if you choose to replace your water service line at the same time.
The City of Shawano is in the process of working to enact a new ordinance that will declare lead service lines as a public nuisance and mandate the replacement of all public and privately-owned lead service lines.
We are also working closely with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in an effort to obtain grant funding for lead service line replacements in 2021 and 2022. The City of Shawano Public Works Department has applied for funding to begin actively replacing the public and private lead water services throughout the City during the 2021 construction season. Once funding has been secured, the service line replacements can be made at no cost to the homeowner. Funding for this replacement project may only be available for a short time and any future lead water service line replacement costs could be responsibility of the homeowner.
The City of Shawano is in the process of working to enact a new ordinance that will declare lead service lines as a public nuisance and mandate the replacement of all public and privately-owned lead service lines.
We are also working closely with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in an effort to obtain grant funding for lead service line replacements in 2021 and 2022. The City of Shawano Public Works Department has applied for funding to begin actively replacing the public and private lead water services throughout the City during the 2021 construction season. Once funding has been secured, the service line replacements can be made at no cost to the homeowner. Funding for this replacement project may only be available for a short time and any future lead water service line replacement costs could be responsibility of the homeowner.
To have the water tested at your home, please contact one of the following certified laboratories in the area:
- Badger Laboratories - Neenah, WI (920) 729-1100
- Clean Water Testing, LLC - Appleton, WI (920) 733-7590
Guide - How to identify a Lead Service Line
Billing Statement Insert - Lead Public Education Program for Municipal Water Systems
Lead Awareness Pamphlet
Public Drinking Water Notice - Press Release
Lead Service Line Replacement and Water Quality Presentation
EPA Sources of Lead in Drinking Water Illustration
Billing Statement Insert - Lead Public Education Program for Municipal Water Systems
Lead Awareness Pamphlet
Public Drinking Water Notice - Press Release
Lead Service Line Replacement and Water Quality Presentation
EPA Sources of Lead in Drinking Water Illustration
Lead Service Lines
Lead pipes were used in the City of Shawano for private water service lines through the 1960's, with some being used in the early 1970's Homes constructed after 1975 are extremely unlikely to have lead water service lines. If your home was built prior to 1975, and has not yet been inspected by our Public Works Department, please contact them to schedule your inspection as soon as possible.You can also look at your privately-owned water service line to see if you feel that it could potentially be made of lead. Using a key or a coin, carefully scratch the water pipe entering your home, prior to the water meter. If the scratch turns a shiny silver color, the pipe could be made of lead or steel. Try placing a strong kitchen magnet on the water line entering your home to determine if it is magnetic. Magnets will not stick to lead.
If you suspect you have a lead service line or are still unsure, please contact the Public Works Department to schedule an inspection.
Guide - How to Identify a Lead Service Line
Health Effects of Lead
While lead is dangerous, the likelihood of your home having a lead service line and causing an exceedance of lead levels are minimal. However, it should be know that children and expectant mothers are the most susceptible to its effects. Lead can be especially dangerous to children because their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the effects of lead, and their bodies absorb more lead than adults as they grow. Pregnant women should take extra precautions against lead exposure due to the potential effects to their developing baby. Lead is also stored in the bones and can be released later in life.Even low levels of lead in children can result in behavioral and learning problems, lower IQ, hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems, and anemia.
Adults exposed to lead can suffer from increased blood pressure, hypertension, decreased kidney function, and reproductive problems.
Higher levels of lead in the blood can lead to more serious health problems including seizures, coma, and death.
Current Map of Presumed Lead Service Locations
Click the link below to view the current map of presumed lead service line locations throughout the City of Shawano. Please note that the information shown below is not a guarantee that a parcel is or is not served by a lead service line. This map was created using historical information and records, inspection observations, and reconstruction project data, as well as some historical assumptions. Shawano Department of Public Works continues to field-verify service materials in an effort to better this map's accuracy. You can help by contacting Public Works to schedule your lateral line verification.Current Map of Presumed Lead Service Locations