ePIPE Restoration Project Swiftly Reduces Lead Levels

Test results showed that after the epoxy coating was applied to lead pipes in a recent residential project, lead leaching in the tap water was significantly reduced.

Pipe Restoration Technologies, LLC, (PRT) makers of the ePIPE product line, has announced that a lead test recently conducted after an ePIPE restoration project revealed the patented epoxy coating was able to quickly bring lead leaching in a recent residential project into compliance. Independent test results showed that after ePIPE was applied to the lead pipes in this recent project, lead leaching in the tap water was reduced to levels far below the United States EPA’s cutoff of 15ppb.

ePIPE restoration, before and after

Properties built before 1996 have been found to have dangerous levels of toxic lead leaching into their drinking water due to various lead contributors, which include lead pipes, lead solder, and brass fittings. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) states that between 15 million to 22 million people in the U.S. get tap water through service lines with lead contaminants.

Not only do the public mains and branch lines need to be protected, but the pipes inside buildings and homes may also have lead contributors that make the tap water unsafe for consumption.

As leaders in the pipe lining industry, the global ePIPE team has been involved in cutting-edge projects in the U.S. and abroad where ePIPE is used as an affordable process to make pipes with lead contributors safe without causing disruption to streets, destruction to private property or tenant/resident relocation.

lead leachingePIPE was recently used for the first lead service line remediation project with modern technology in the U.S. The project was performed in conjunction with Providence Water, to protect lead service lines to houses located in Providence, RI. Providence Water did not want to disturb the structures of the century-old houses or the historical trees that are on their properties, located above the lead branch lines. The independent water tests that were conducted post-ePIPE showed lead levels were reduced to less than 1ppb (well below the EPA cutoff level of 15ppb), ensuring the tap water is healthy and safe to drink. ePIPE effectively brought lead leaching into compliance without having to destroy private property or disrupt street traffic.

ePIPE is a patented pipe lining process approved by NSF for an immediate return to service in as little as 90 minutes. ePIPE provides one of the fastest return to service epoxy lining products in the world, designed for protecting drinking water pipes from leaks, lead and copper leaching, among many other common problems.

Pipes from 1/2” up to 6” are treatable using the patented ePIPE LeadSmart system and materials. ePIPE is used to rehabilitate potable water lines, including lead service lines, natural gas lines, HVAC, drains and fire sprinkler systems in homes, apartments, high-rise hotel/resorts, office towers, high-rise apartments, condominiums and schools without the disadvantages of traditional pipe replacement projects.

PRT is the parent company of the ePIPE product and worldwide group of installers that utilize the patented ePIPE process to restore pipes in-place. An alternative to a destructive repipe, this process is achieved using an application of an epoxy barrier coating, which results in a restored, epoxy lined piping system. The process provides a solution for pinhole leaks, epoxy lining, corrosion control and prevention of lead leaching from pipes without the destruction or disruption encountered by pipe replacements.