Pennsylvania American Water Launches Interactive Web-Based Map to Identify and Replace Lead Service Lines
Pennsylvania American Water graphic Pennsylvania American Water announced that it has developed a robust, interactive web-based map encouraging customers to view and/or report what material their water service line is made of. The map can be found at pennsylvaniaamwater.com/LeadFacts and includes an address search bar and a symbol and color key.
The webpage and map were created in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s requirements for water utilities to identify and make public the locations of lead service lines by October of 2024 and follows EPA best practices. The map also serves as a tool for customers to self-report what their water service lines are made of to help Pennsylvania American Water complete the service line material inventory project it launched last year.
“Our goal in creating this webpage and map is to proactively and transparently communicate to customers not only the information about their service line material, but also what we do to help provide water that meets all regulations, ways they can help reduce their potential exposure to lead, and how they can participate in our lead service line replacement program at no direct cost to them,” said Brandy Braun, Pennsylvania American Water’s director of water quality and environmental compliance. “We are committed to continue our robust program to identify and replace all lead and galvanized service lines, and we need our customers’ continued cooperation to help us identify and remove lead service lines for the health, safety and peace of mind of our customers.”
On the webpage, customers can click on the map and enter their address in the “Search by Address” field. The map will zoom in on the address, where the user can click the circular symbol and see the material of the service line on both the utility and customer side, as it is known to the company. If the customer-owned side is shown as unknown, customers are encouraged to help identify it and report that information to the company using the self-reporting survey link provided in the pop-up window. The company also developed a short video showing how to use the map.
In addition to the map, customers will also find the following on the webpage:
- The company’s approach to replacing lead service lines, including a short video
- Frequently asked questions related to lead and the company’s lead service line replacement program
- A quick guide to help customers determine the material of their service line material
- Additional resources about lead in drinking water Information about how to assess and reduce potential lead exposure
Last year, Pennsylvania American Water replaced 855 lead service lines and expects to replace double this number in 2024. The goal of the program is to replace all lead service lines over time.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $34 to $38 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities. American Water has been included in the top 10% of America’s Most JUST Companies by JUST Capital and CNBC, is ranked number one in the utilities industry for the 2024 Forbes American’s Best Large Employers, has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, is the highest-ranked water and wastewater utility on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2024 List, and has earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions. For more information, visit amwater.com.