Get the Lead Out!

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The state and federal Environmental Protection Agencies are partnering with municipal water providers to implement the ‘Get the Lead Out’ initiative. 

The ‘GLO’ initiative is an effort to identify and replace the lead water lines that provide drinking water to their customers. Lead was used in residential plumbing until the 1980s as an affordable, rustproof material but lead is a neurotoxin that settles in your body and causes damage to your brain and nervous system. 

“If you remember, probably nine months ago, the city sent out literally thousands of letters just bringing to the attention of people this issue,” Zanesville Mayor Don Mason said. “Many people responded and we’re starting to document the inventory of homes that are not. But yet we are still on occasion getting water testing from properties and… and we do identify whether that’s above or below the acceptable level. We still let the homeowner know regardless.”

The City of Zanesville has hired a consultant that will be going door to door this week taking water samples and surveying to see if properties have issues that the customers should be concerned with. 

“The people going door to door are properly marked. But I would encourage any homeowner, if you have a concern, schedule an appointment. But call the City of Zanesville to make sure that is a legitimate knock at the door. Just because we want to make sure others don’t take advantage of what is genuinely an inventory or survey. And like I said, always feel free to call the city of Zanesville to make sure that your property is one that’s been identified as part of the survey,” Mason said.

The service crews will consist of about 4 workers wearing fluorescent utility vests with GLO badges and will be accompanied by members of the Zanesville Water Department. If you have any concerns, you can contact the City of Zanesville online.