Lead Free Homes

YOUR HOME, OUR MISSION

NOTICE OF ELIGIBILITY: NORTHAMPTON COUNTY HOMEOWNERS

FREE LEAD WATER SUPPLY LINE HAZARDS REPLACEMENT!

You may have received a letter that your home is located in an area in need of a safety check to make sure there are no older water supply lines or fixtures in the service area of the East Bangor Municipal Authority. Several older water meters were found to be in service and the plan is to complete a safety check to make sure that there are no other older water supply lines or fixtures in this neighborhood.

Northampton County is working with our local partners Slate Belt Rising, Community Action Lehigh Valley, and the East Bangor Municipal Authority to offer a safety check of residents’ interior home water supply lines for any hazards that may be present. We want to be able to say these neighborhood homes are free from any potential water supply line hazards.

Program participation is 100% FREE for residents in the East Bangor Municipal Authority service area.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE:

A FREE Lead Safety Check will be provided to all residents served by the East Bangor Municipal Authority.

This is completed first to identify lead hazards that may be present. Northampton County’s program will look at replacing manifolds/goosenecks, water meters, and older plumbing fixtures still containing lead.

In most cases, the Lead Hazard Control Program assists homeowners’ who can meet the following qualifications:

The property must be in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, and must be owner-occupied.
Priority is given to applicants where children under six (6) years old live or spend time at home.
Priority is given to homeowners who meet HUD income requirements. The thresholds listed in the following table are based on the number of occupants in the home. All households with an income under $100,000 are strongly encouraged to apply.

Priority Income Limits:

Household Size	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Income 80%	$55,100	$62,950	$70, 800	$78,650	$84,950	$91,250	$97,550	$103,850

Northampton County DCED will review and approve applications for assistance on a need basis subject to certain restrictions.

Submittal of an application is not a guarantee of being awarded funding.

Northampton County will check for the presence of water line hazards especially in any water line or fixture where lead may be an ingredient. As a rule, older homes are more likely to still have some lead presence in service lines and possibly in some interior plumbing fixtures. Northampton County will also check and replace any water supply line containing lead on the homeowner's side of the water meter. Northampton County’s program will look at replacing manifolds/goosenecks, water meters, and older plumbing fixtures still containing lead. The program will use a PA-licensed plumber in any replacement and it will be free of charge for Northampton County homeowners.

To apply, click the button below to register.

If you need assistance in applying, contact Brian Fenstermaker, Director of Slate Belt Rising. Brian is available for in-person application assistance on Wednesday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Bangor Borough Building located at 197 Pennsylvania Avenue, Bangor, PA 18013. Call 484-523-0900 to make an appointment to talk with Brian.

If you do not wish to apply, or if you reside at the specified address but are not the intended recipient of this letter, please contact us for the purpose of updating our records. Thank you!

Click Here to Register/Apply

Why are we so concerned with lead?

Exposure to lead has been shown to harm especially very young children living in the home. Exposure has been shown to effect brain development, contribute with learning-behavioral problems, and lower IQ’s. Very young children are particularly susceptible to the build-up of lead hazards, as their smaller size increases their exposure levels, which is far more damaging to them than adults. As studies have shown that there is no safe level of lead. Lead is this public health menace take away the lead and the problem goes away.

How does lead get into drinking water?

Lead can enter drinking water when pipes and plumbing fixtures that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content. There are four main sources of lead:

Lead pipes
Lead service lines, the pipe that connects the water main under the street to the home’s plumbing. Lead pipes were also used in inside plumbing, but it is unusual. Congress banned the use of lead pipes in 1986.
Leaded solder – Solder is used to connect copper pipe and fittings. Congress banned the use of leaded solder in 1986.
Leaded alloys – Brass is frequently used in faucets and other plumbing components. In 1986, Congress limited the amount of lead in brass to 8% (close to the level of lead typical of products at the time) and later in 2014, reduced the limit to a much lower level (0.25%).