Since taking over the City of Indianapolis’ water and sewer utility in August 2011, Citizens Energy Group has been on a mission to improve our city’s water. Their assessment revealed a concerning number of homes with lead and other harmful water lines. In response, Citizens has launched the Lead Service Line Replacement Program, a crucial initiative to replace these hazardous lines in hundreds of homes across the city.
To explain the importance of this program for our city and community, we will learn from the NRDC – The Natural Resources Defense Council – an organization “who works to safeguard the earth – its people, plants, animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.” According to the NRDC, “even moderate to love levels of lead exposure can still produce serious harm. Health effects include hearing loss, anemia, hypertension, kidney impairment, immune system dysfunction, and toxicity to the reproductive organs. Low levels of exposure can interfere with thought processes, lower children’s IQ, and cause attention and behavioral problems – all of which affect lifetime learning.”
Visit https://www.nrdc.org/stories/causes-and-effects-lead-water#problem to learn more. The map shows the states with the largest population of homes with lead water pipes; Indiana is among the 2nd highest levels in the country.
Starting this October, our community will take proactive steps to address the lead water pipe issue. Citizens Energy Group will send mailers to homes, educating residents about the dangers of lead in our water and the available assistance programs. We are also committed to partnering with homeowners to facilitate their participation in the lead pipe replacement program. If your home was built before 1960, there's a high chance it still has lead water pipes. This is a collective responsibility that we must all address.
Stay informed and empowered. Please contact the NNW QOL email (NWQOL2020@GMAIL.COM), subject line LEAD WATER PIPES, to get on our list of homes as we learn more from Citizens and stay up to date on what is being done to resolve this issue.
Through this program, we can work together to protect our children, families, and vulnerable populations from the long-term health effects of lead exposure.
Spread the word to your neighbors and friends. The more people are aware and involved, the more we can work together to build a safer and healthier Northwest Quality of Life. Stay connected, and look for updates via email.
Submitted by,
Hadiah Amit, NNWCB
Comments