GREENWOOD, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Indiana American Water announced a near $97 million investment into a lead service line replacement project being implemented across the state.
According to a release from Indian American Water, the goal of the project is to remove or replace the approximately 30,000 lead pipes throughout the service area.
Being the first water utility company in the state to file a plan for the lead service line replacement project, Indiana American Water has already replaced over 54% of the lead service lines.
“We are proactively addressing the long-standing issue of lead service lines throughout the state in a way that expedites replacement and helps customers who are most impacted and often can least afford it,” Matt Prine, Indiana American Water President said. “Since our plan was approved in 2018, we have made significant progress in implementing it statewide with more than 54 percent of the lead service lines in the communities we serve already replaced or removed from service.”
The release also notes that if a customer’s service line contains lead, it does not mean they are not able to use the water as normal. Indiana American Water routinely tests samples for lead in drinking water and provides corrosion control treatment when needed to minimize potential threats.
“In an effort to make the program even more affordable and to speed up our lead service line removal efforts, Indiana American Water also recently applied and received approval for nearly $19 million in no or low-interest loans from the Indiana State Revolving Fund,” Prine continued. “We are committed to doing our part to get the lead out of Indiana, once and for all.”
For more information about the steps Indiana American Water takes to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water, as well as ways to assess and reduce exposure to lead at home, visit the lead resources page or contact their Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.
