Overview
- The city issued a public drinking-water warning after its January–June sampling of 100 homes showed more than 10% exceeded the EPA action level for lead, and officials contacted affected homeowners and published a map of impacted service lines.
- Aurora began adding orthophosphate at its water treatment plant in March to reduce pipe corrosion and limit lead leaching while replacements are completed.
- Homes with exceedances are being given short-term protections such as NSF/ANSI 53-rated filters, guidance on running cold water and cleaning faucet screens, and assistance with water testing.
- The city places properties that test over the action level on a prioritized replacement list and says it aims to replace those lead service lines within about three months after an exceedance is found.
- Since 2018 Aurora has replaced more than 3,400 lead service lines, and health officials warn that lead exposure is especially harmful to infants, children and pregnant people and can cause lasting developmental and adult health problems.