Lead Pipes in Homes

Concerns regarding lead in water have been raised following the water crisis in Flint, MI.  Elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.  Lead in drinking water comes primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing.

Q: How is Platteville different from Flint, MI?
Flint, MI changed their water source.  The new water was more corrosive than the water from the previous source.  The corrosiveness of the new water weakened protective calcium deposits coating the lead pipes. As a result, lead from the pipes leached into the water supply.  The City of Platteville has not changed its water source.  Our water is tested to ensure that it is not causing corrosion to lead pipes during normal water usage.

Q: What is the City doing to keep the water safe?
The Water & Sewer Utility follows all EPA and Wisconsin DNR rules regarding water supply and testing.  Annually we send a Drinking Water Quality Report to inform customers of the results of our testing and to show that our water is safe.  We use chemicals to adjust the pH of the water to decrease the corrosiveness of our water and to encourage calcium deposits that serve as a lining between lead pipes and the water.

Q: What can I do to reduce lead levels in my water?
Platteville Water and Sewer Utility is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components.  The best way to reduce lead levels in your water is to replace any lead pipes and fittings going into or inside your house.  Consult your plumber for more information on the replacement of pipes or fixtures. If you cannot replace your fixtures, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes (or longer) before using water for drinking or cooking.

Click here to view a detailed map of lead service lines within the City of Platteville.  Please note that the presence of lead contamination in drinking water can only be determined by testing the water for lead.

* Use the zoom in option in the upper left corner to locate a specific address.
* Click the “More Information” tab at the top for more details about Lead in Drinking Water.

If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested, obtain bottled water from a source known to be pure and lead-free, or add properly maintained NSF certified filtration for lead.  Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.  The EPA has a fact sheet about lead in drinking water athttps://www.epa.gov/your-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-dri...

Additional Questions?
See below for links to EPA and Wisconsin DNR resources.

http://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/DG/DG0015.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family#water
Sample Consumer Notice Form

You can also contact Utility Superintendent, Irv Lupee at 608-778-4701 or lupee@platteville.org.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services also recommends that all children age 6 months to 6 years be assessed for lead exposure risks and tested based on their level of risk.  For more information contact the Grant County Health Department at 608-723-6416 or visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/lead/index.htm.