ePIPE Awarded 14th U.S. Patent for In-Place Lead Pipe Lining Technology

Pipe Restoration Technologies, LLC (PRT), a world-leading pipe lining innovator and manufacturer, announced that it has been awarded its 14th U.S. patent: Patent #9273815, titled “Process for Coating the Interior Surface of Water Service Lines.”

Granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the patent covers the in-place coating of metallic pipes, including lead, copper, and steel pipes, with resin curing in at least one hour. The patented ePIPE® in-place lining technology helps reduce lead leaching from lead pipes and other in-line lead contributors, including lead solder, before they can contaminate the drinking water supply.

How ePIPE Helps Reduce Lead in Drinking Water

Using the ePIPE process, lead levels are reduced to well below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guideline for lead of 10 ug/l, or 10 ppb. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action level for lead is 15 ug/l, or 15 ppb, which is 50 percent higher than the WHO guideline.

Unlike traditional pipe replacement, ePIPE technology is applied to pipes “in-place.” This reduces the need for excessive digging, roadwork, or tearing into building foundations and walls. ePIPE is designed as a long-term pipe restoration solution that does not require the addition of expensive or questionable water treatment chemicals.

“Relying on chemical treatment of the drinking water and getting it wrong was a major contributor to the Flint poison pipe problem,” Pipe Restoration Technologies and ACE DuraFlo® CEO Larry Gillanders said. “Hands down, we offer the best solution to protect drinking water from lead leaching.”

A Non-Invasive Alternative to Pipe Replacement

ePIPE technology is one of the industry’s fastest and most effective in-place pipe lining processes. It helps prevent leaks while greatly reducing lead and other metals from leaching into the drinking water supply.

The Flint, Michigan water crisis brought national attention to the cumulative effects of lead exposure, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead is a dangerous toxin, and medical experts agree that there is no safe level of lead consumption. Exposure to lead can impair a child’s IQ and cognitive function and may contribute to behavioral problems.

High-profile environmental advocates, including Erin Brockovich and former First Lady of the United States Hillary Clinton, have helped raise awareness around the need for safer drinking water and effective solutions to lead contamination.

“We are already providing our ePIPE technology as a solution to lead leaching in England and we have already provided the ePIPE solution to thousands of properties in the U.S.,” said Gillanders. “We are prepared to help cities like Flint to bring their water pipes into lead leaching compliance, using this efficient, effective and proven solution. With our licensed network of plumbing companies across the country that use ePIPE, we are asking all cities and building owners who are dealing with lead compliance issues to contact us so that we can protect their drinking water. Our non-invasive epoxy coating system can bring lead contaminated water systems into compliance within hours, without causing destruction or closing down streets. This is a win-win for cities and their citizens.”

Lead Pipes Are Not the Only Source of Lead in Water

Lead service lines are a major concern, but they are not the only contributor to lead in drinking water. Lead solder, historically used in copper piping systems, can also contribute to elevated lead levels.

As seen in the Hong Kong lead crisis, lead solder can raise lead levels to 10 to 60 times the allowable limit. Prior to 1988, lead solder was commonly used in the installation of copper piping systems throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Learn More About ePIPE Lead Leak Protection

ePIPE in-place pipe lining technology provides a non-invasive, efficient, and proven solution for reducing lead leaching and helping protect drinking water systems. For cities, building owners, homeowners, and businesses facing lead compliance concerns, ePIPE offers an alternative to destructive pipe replacement.

Please contact us if you’d like more information or have any questions about ePIPE technology.