To do so, a door-to-door campaign was started in January. Utility officials have looked to do inspections themselves free of charge, but buildings and homeowners are also able to do the survey themselves. A form either given in person, stuck on a door or window, or delivered along with the utility bill shows what to look for.

Water District Energy Department Systems Supervisor Larry Pelzel says this initiative comes on the heels of guidelines handed down from higher-ups.

“Just about a year ago or so under the guidelines of the federal EPA and the Minnesota Department of Health we have to identify all the water service lines in our system,” he said. “They’re looking for lead and the program through the state is ‘Get the lead out’.

Pelzel said unless people would like them to, the city will not force the removal of any lead pipes found. The information they gather will be sent to the EPA and Department of Health, who will come and remove the pipes at a later date.

For those who were not home when visited, Public Utilities likely left a notice like this on your door or window. While they've received reports back from about 50% of New Ulm's water lines, they need to reach 100% before late summer.

Pelzel said lead prevents obvious dangers, but steps can be taken in the meantime to reduce hazards until the pipes can be removed in place.

“It’s not good for children,” he said. “It’s not good for ladies expecting. It’s like lead paint years back. They wanted to remove all that too. They suggest if you do get identified you can either get a pitcher that will help. Britta makes a pitcher that will filter lead. Or you run your water, don’t use warm water for preparing food and cooking, it’s as simple as that.”

In the first two months, Pelzel said the program has been a decent success.

“I know during the day when we’re at work, it’s hard catching people at home,” he said. “But we’ve also went to where we do a little bit in the evening. We’ll do it as late as 6 p.m. We try not to bother people but that’s a better chance. There’s some Saturdays we went out.”

So far, Pelzel said they have identified the materials for around 50% of the city’s water service lines. Of the 2,200 lines identified thus far, only 14 have had lead.

These four pipes are the ones most commonly found for water service lines. (L-R) Galvanized steel is most common, copper shines like a penny when scratched, lead is the one they're looking to identify, and plastic are the ones usually installed today.

Pelzel said the plan is to keep canvassing for as much info possible until their deadline, even if that means accidentally contacting those who’ve submitted info more than once.

“We’ll continue this till we get to the deadline which is late summer,” he said. “We’ve doubled up on so many houses already where people have already done it but we didn’t have it entered into the system. There are going to be people that know they have done this, they can disregard the [additional] form.”

For anyone concerned or skeptical about sending in their information, Pelzel said it is information that’s good for them to know as well as the city.

“You shouldn’t be scared of this because it’s something you want to know,” he said. “Eventually it’s going to have to get replaced and when it fails. You can replace it right now. Nobody’s going to make you replace it [right now]. If you use the precautions of running your water and not using the hot water for cooking, the health issues are minimal.”

To schedule an appointment to get your water service line looked at, or to get more information, call 507-359-8279.