City of Akron Applauded by Biden Administration for Lead Removal Efforts

Akron is on track to be lead pipe free by the end of 2025 and to remove all galvanized pipes that were previously connected to lead by 2027

Akron, Ohio, October 10, 2024 - Earlier this week, the Biden Administration announced a plan to replace all lead pipes in the country over the next 10 years. In the administration's release, the President specifically highlighted the efforts of Akron, stating, "Akron, Ohio is now on track to replace all lead service lines by 2027 thanks to $9 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan." Under the leadership of Akron Mayor Shammas Malik, the city is currently replacing the final 1,800 active lead service lines remaining in Akron. The final round of removal began this fall, and completion will be in late fall of 2025. After this project is complete, there should be no occupied homes being served by a lead service line in the city. Then the city will finish removing all galvanized pipes that were previously connected to lead by 2027.

"I'm incredibly proud to say that Akron is very close to being lead service free," said Mayor Malik. "This is something that most cities our size and age are nowhere close to accomplishing. Due to Akron's proactive approach of removing lead lines long before it was considered best practice to do so, we are nearly finished with this important work. We thank the Biden administration for recognizing our efforts."

Lead is a potent neurotoxin that can cause irreversible harm. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. The EPA notes that low levels of exposure in children are linked to damage to the brain and nervous system, learning disabilities, shorter stature, impaired hearing, and harm to blood cells. Exposed adults can suffer from cardiovascular disease and adverse impacts on reproduction and the kidneys, among other harmful health effects.

In 1986, Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act to prohibit the installation of lead-containing pipes in public water systems and plumbing in facilities that provide water for human consumption. The City of Akron, under the guidance of Akron's previous Public Utilities Bureau Manager, David Crandell, began removing lead pipes in the 1960s, well before there were any regulations requiring lead pipes to be removed.

In 1960, Akron had nearly 50,000 lead services. By 1964, the city began replacing about 1,000 lead and galvanized steel service lines each year steadily decreasing the number of lines servicing Akron's homes. When the federal rules were written, Akron was recognized in the Federal Registrar in 1991 as an example community that was aggressively removing lead services since the 60's.  This innovative, forward thinking has allowed Akron to remain at the forefront of lead service removal.

"Akron has arguably been the most progressive city in the United States for removing lead services," said Public Service Director Chris Ludle. "A lot of that credit goes to Dave Crandell for prioritizing this work and to each administration since then for seeing it through. We're excited to finish removing these lines to become completely lead free."

For over 30 years, Akron has been using corrosion inhibitors to treat the water to greatly minimize the risk of lead in drinking water. The city continues to have some of the best lead testing results in Ohio as a result of this treatment. The removal of all lead lines and all galvanized lines that were connected to lead further reduces the risk of any lead exposure in Akron's drinking water.

About David Crandell

David L. Crandell has been a lifetime resident of Akron who started working for the City of Akron Public Utilities Bureau as an Engineering Aide while attending the University of Akron in 1954. He then served as an Engineer I, II and III and was Manager of the Water Distribution Division for 12 years. His final 26 years were as Manager of the Public Utilities Bureau where he was responsible for all aspects of the Akron water and sewer system managing a staff of more than 370 employees. Mr. Crandell was a tremendously dedicated and faithful public servant who was extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of drinking water and water pollution control. He served on many environmental and regulatory committees and councils, including the USEPA's National Drinking Water Advisory Council, the Ohio American Water Works Association Water Utility Council, the Ohio EPA Director's Advisory Committee, and the Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Council. David L. Crandell had more than 46 years of dedicated and faithful service to the City of Akron.

About City of Akron
Akron, Ohio is a city of 190,000 people known for being a welcoming, diverse, and affordable community. Akron's economy includes manufacturing, education, healthcare, and biomedical research. The former "Rubber Capital of the World" is quickly becoming a global hub for polymer education, research, and innovation. A multi-cultural and multi-racial community, Akron boasts a thriving art, music, and entertainment scene. Mayor Shammas Malik is the 63rd Mayor of Akron and his platform focuses on key initiatives which make up his Together for Akron plan: a unifying vision for the city's future, rooted in safe neighborhoods, good schools, affordable homes, equitable economic opportunity, and environmental sustainability. He is Akron's youngest Mayor and first Mayor of color.

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