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1. What is Lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring metal that is harmful if inhaled or ingested. Lead can be found in naturally occurring places like soil and water, but can also be found in manmade things like paint and pipes.

2. What are the risks of Lead Exposure?

Lead exposure can be very harmful to people's health, especially children's health. Lead exposure can cause an increase in blood pressure in adults, and learning deficits and slowed physical and mental development in children. The greatest risk of lead poisoning is for children and pregnant women.

3. Are there some structures that have an increased risk of having lead service lines or plumbing?

Buildings and homes that would have an increased risk of lead service lines or plumbing would have been built before 1986 and the 1986 amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act. Homes and buildings built in Laramie since 1986 would not have been built with lead piping.

4. How can I tell if my homes or business has lead plumbing?

The City of Laramie is currently inspecting city service lines and water meters in residences for lead plumbing. So far, the City has found no evidence of lead contamination in city service lines or at the meter. For business and home plumbing not directly connected to the service meter, the best option would be to hire a plumber to perform an inspection.

5. Does Laramie have lead water service lines?

Laramie does not have any lead service lines. Furthermore, under guidelines provided by the EPA, the City of Laramie is surveying all service lines and residential water meters to make sure there is no lead contamination. As of October 2023, the City has found none and has inspected 2/3s of Laramie homes.

6. Will I be notified if my service line is suspected to have lead?

Yes. As the City of Laramie moves forward with its inspections of all residential water service lines and meters, should any lead be found in a residence's water, the resident will be notified at once and the City will take proper steps to resolve the issue. 

7. What has Laramie done to help reduce resident's exposure to Lead?

The City of Laramie has not installed any lead piping since 1986 when an amendment to the Safe Water Drinking Act was passed in 1986. Laramie also monitors its water systems constantly and is currently undergoing a survey (requested nationally by the EPA) to take an inventory of any residential lead service lines in Laramie. So far, the inspection team has surveyed about 2/3s of Laramie residences and has found no instance of lead contamination.

8. What can I do to reduce or eliminate lead from my drinking water?

The City of Laramie is only responsible for water from city service lines to a utility meter. The City is not responsible for the variety of plumbing equipment inside a home or business. However, there are some steps that you can take to reduce your risk: 

1. Flush your tap water by letting the water run for several minutes if it has been sitting in your pipes for several hours, such as first thing in the morning or upon returning from work.

2. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, or preparing baby formula.

3. Remove and clean faucet screens or aerators.

4. Use a filter certified to remove lead.

5. When replacing plumbing components or faucets, make sure the products have been tested and certified to “lead-free” standards.

9. How can I get my water tested for lead?

The City has been testing for the presence of lead in residential water for over a year as of October 2023. Currently, the survey team has inspected 2/3s of Laramie residences and has found no presence of lead. By October 2024, all Laramie residences will have been inspected for lead contamination. If you would like an EPA certified to run additional testing on your water, the EPA offers a list of certified water testing labs in Wyoming.

10. Where can I find additional information about lead and drinking water?

Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800-426-4791 or the EPA’s website.