Richmond going ‘block-by-block’ to track down lead pipes

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT)—Thousands of water pipes in Richmond likely contain lead, and the city is now helping homeowners remove them.

Last October, Richmond sent a map to the state health department showing where lead pipes are located in the city. Most homes are still listed as “unknown.”

Now, the Department of Public Utilities is rolling out its “block-by-block” initiative, where crews are doing exactly what it sounds like—checking each individual home for areas likely to have lead.

DPU Director Scott Morris is calling it a more efficient method. Last year, the city primarily asked neighbors to check the pipes themselves.

“Now we’re focusing on wanting to get additional grant funds to do the block-by-block program, which focuses on the most impactful communities, those ones that can