Beneath Chelsea’s streets and sidewalks lies a threat that many families don’t see: lead pipes. The City is working to change that, removing this danger one pipe at a time.
On Monday, the MWRA and the Clean Water Action Group recognized the City of Chelsea and GreenRoots for taking early action on a program designed to replace lead water service lines at no cost to homeowners. The replacements happen as part of broader infrastructure work.
The recognition came with a $100,000 grant to support continued removal of lead water lines as the City undertakes paving and sidewalk repair projects.
City Manager Tom Ambrosino described the initiative as straightforward in concept but significant in execution, particularly because it shifts the replacement cost from homeowners—who typically bear that expense—to the City. “For the last year or more, as we’ve undertaken other construction projects on the streets, when we encounter a lead service line on the street, we are replacing it at no cost to the homeowner,” he said. “The MWRA grant helps ensure we will be able to continue to do that. We all want safe and clean drinking water and having clean water is elemental.”
Lead poses serious health risks. When it leaches into drinking water over time, it acts as a neurotoxin capable of impairing cognitive function with ongoing exposure. Children and pregnant women face particular vulnerability to these effects.
“Chelsea is so proactive in doing this,” said MWRA Director Fred Laskey. “They are going through the inventory and going house to house and street to street to get rid of this problem. This is something that should serve as a model in how to prevent the scourge of lead in water. No other community has forged into this.”
According to Fidel Maltez of the Chelsea DPW, the program has already replaced more than 50 lines. Previous replacements occurred during street repairs on Shurtleff, Maverick, Clark, Crescent, Lawrence, Tudor and Webster Streets. Essex Street is slated for work this year, with lead line identification as part of that effort.
“Every project moving forward is going to identify and remove these lines with zero cost to the homeowner,” he said.
Homeowners who suspect they have a lead service line should contact the DPW at (617) 466-4200. A technician will assess whether the pipe is lead, and if confirmed, the property will be added to the replacement schedule.
State Rep. Dan Ryan praised the program and congratulated Chelsea in being proactive to replace lead service lines.