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The Albert Lea Utilities Department is taking part in a federal and state effort to reduce lead in drinking water by replacing remaining water lines made of lead or galvanized material.

Service lines are underground pipes that connect homes and businesses with water mains. Galvanized material is a metal coated with zinc to prevent rusting and corrosion. Galvanized material may absorb lead.

Lead service lines are a concern because exposure to this metal may cause serious health effects. The city of Albert Lea is not aware of any health effects related to its drinking water. The city must test its drinking water for contaminants on a regular basis and its water meets all standards — including for lead — set by the Minnesota Department of Health. The city takes additional steps to prevent the release of lead into its drinking water.

Lead was commonly used for water service lines in the early 1900s. The federal government banned the use of lead materials in new plumbing systems in 1986. Property owners and the city of Albert Lea have replaced many of the lines over the past several years. Now the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is requiring each state to replace all remaining lead water lines. The goal is to eliminate lead water lines by 2033.

As part of the program, the Utilities Department recently mailed notices to 1,500 property owners (about 24% of all residential water hookups):

• 140 have lines made of lead or galvanized material and will need replacement
• 1,360 have lines of unknown material and will need to be verified if lead or other material

“We sent the notices to make sure people know about the issue and how the city of Albert Lea is working to address it. If you received a letter, the city will let you know the next step as soon as the state release the grant funds,” said Ryan Hajek, assistant public works director.

“If you did not receive a letter — and most residents did not — then we have verified that your service is not made of lead. That means you do not need to take any action,” he said.

The city plans to use a $1.5 million grant from the Minnesota Department of Health toward verifying unknown lines and replacing about 170 lead lines at no cost to the property owners.  The city will continue to seek funding to replace additional lead lines.

Residents can also take simple steps to reduce lead in their drinking water:

• Let water run to flush the home’s pipes before using the water for drinking or cooking
• Use cold water from the tap for drinking, cooking and making baby formula
• Clean the screen on faucets, called aerators, to prevent lead particles trapped in the screen from getting into drinking water
• Use a filter certified to remove lead

For more information, residents can:

• Contact the Albert Lea Utilities Department at 507-377-4377.
• Check the status of their service lines on Minnesota’s online map tool: https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/.
• Visit the city of Albert Lea website at https://cityofalbertlea.org/noleadlines. This webpage includes a link to the city’s 2023 drinking water report.