City of Lincoln continues ‘Lead Safe Lincoln’ initiative

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird announced Thursday that the City of Lincoln’s lead water service line replacement program will expand to portions of four central Lincoln neighborhoods this spring.

This project is part of the City’s Lead Safe Lincoln initiative, launched in 2022 to proactively prevent community members’ exposure to lead, and is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“Through Lead Safe Lincoln, City teams are conducting lead testing in children, assessing lead exposure risk, removing lead from homes and replacing lead water service lines,” Mayor Gaylor Baird said.

So far, 138 lead and galvanized service lines have already been replaced with copper pipe.

Lincoln property owner Bernice Polivka said the work to replace a lead service line on a rental property she owns took about three hours to complete. She recommended other property owners participate in the free pipe replacement program.

“I’m grateful that this program exists because it means I don’t have to worry about lead pipes, and it increases the health of our community. If you have the chance to take advantage of this program, do it. It’s worth it,” Polivka said.

Director Elliott said the City is preparing to contact the next group of 1,000 property owners in portions of the Everett, Near South, Irvingdale, and South Salt Creek neighborhoods. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2025 and continue through 2026.

For more information and to determine whether your property service line is lead or galvanized, visit the Lead Service Line Replacement’s website.

Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.