Aurora finds unacceptable amounts of lead in water sample tests
Aurora has found unacceptable amounts of lead in drinking water in at least 10 homes out of 100 it tested earlier this year.
The city collected the samples between January and June. The levels in the 10 homes exceeded 15 parts per billion per liter of water.
The city said, in a news release, that it does not mean all drinking water in the city contains lead. It said it was a statistical representation of lead found in specifically qualified homes.
Typically, lead or galvanized metal service lines and interior pipes are found in homes built before 1980. In 1980, the federal government prohibited the use of lead service lines.
Aurora officials said water originating from the city’s treatment plant does not have lead in it.
According to the news release, state regulations about water testing changed in 2024, requiring the city to take larger samples.
Instead of just testing the first liter to come out of a faucet, the city has to test the first and fifth liters. The city says that leads to a higher rate of lead being found, as the water in the fifth liter has spent more time in the service line to the residence, where it is exposed to the lead.
The city is required to publicize the test results any time 10% or more of the samples exceed the legal limit. It is removing lead and galvanized water lines.
Aurora is removing lead and galvanized metal service lines. Since 2018, it has replaced 2,520 lead service lines.
The city has a dedicated webpage about lead in drinking water. It includes an inventory, by address, of what type of service line a property has, if known, or if the address is in a high-risk area.