GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — A letter sent by the Greensboro water resource has people worried about their drinking water.
It’s a letter that has caused confusion and fear, leaving those who received it to wonder if there’s lead in their water.
67,000 people received a letter from Greensboro stating, “The water pipe that connects your building to the water main is made of unknown material.”
Everyone who received the letter owns a building built before 1986, back when lead wasn’t as much of a concern.
“The main reason we sent out those letters, is it is a part of the new lead and copper regulations,” said Greensboro Water Resource Engineering Supervisor, Mario Edouard.
The bottom half of the letter explains the health effects of lead, and how to reduce lead intake in drinking water.
“This is general information that we are required by the state to provide in the letter,” said Edouard.
This part of the letter has people worried, making them think there is lead in their pipes.
“The letter is not intended to make people panic or it doesn’t mean that you have lead pipes, or it doesn’t mean that you have lead in your water system,” said Edouard.
In 2021, the regulations for lead pipes changed. This was the first change since 1991, so over the past few years, Greensboro has been doing its own investigation into water pipes and has not found any signs of lead.
“One of the requirements of the lead and copper compliance program is that you need to develop an inventory of all your water service pipes whether it’s private or public water service pipe,” said Edouard.
Now the city needs to access private pipes to homes or businesses to ensure there isn’t any threat.
Recipients of the letter are being encouraged by Greensboro Water Resources to give them a call and set up an appointment to have their pipes inspected. Edouard says the city will do the inspection and if any lead pipes are found, the city will replace them.
