Prevent Lead & Copper Leaching in Drinking Water Pipes

Lead and copper leaching in drinking water pipes is a serious concern for water utilities, schools, commercial properties, government facilities, and homeowners. The patented ePIPE process provides an in-place pipe restoration solution designed to help prevent lead and copper from leaching into drinking water systems.

What Is Lead and Copper Leaching?

Lead and copper leaching can occur when drinking water comes into contact with aging pipes, fittings, solder, or other plumbing components. Over time, these materials can release metals into the water supply, creating water quality concerns for buildings and communities.

The ePIPE process helps address this issue by applying a protective barrier coating inside existing pipes, reducing contact between drinking water and metal pipe surfaces.

ePIPE Lead Pipe Remediation for Water Service Lines

ePIPE has actively worked with water utilities in the United Kingdom on lead remediation projects for water service pipes. From the water main to the curb stop and through to a building’s internal shut-off, the ePIPE process can help protect lead and copper supply pipes from leaching.

The process can restore pipes as small as 12mm, which is slightly less than 1/2 inch, making it a practical option for small-diameter drinking water service lines.

Fast In-Place Pipe Restoration With Minimal Disruption

One of the key advantages of the ePIPE process is its ability to restore pipes in place without full pipe replacement. This can significantly reduce customer disruption, excavation, demolition, and downtime.

For service pipe restoration, water can be turned off, pipes restored, and water service returned in less than four hours.

Using the ePIPE process, lead levels are reduced to well below the World Health Organization’s 10 µg/l, or 10 ppb, cut-off guidelines.

ePIPE Projects in the United States

In the United States, ePIPE has completed projects, including work in schools, to help solve lead and copper leaching issues attributed to in-building pipes, fittings, and related plumbing components.

NSF has approved ePIPE for a 90-minute return to service, making it one of the fastest return-to-service pipe restoration solutions in the industry.

ePIPE at Fort Knox: Reducing Copper Leaching in Potable Water Pipes

ePIPE technology was featured as the cover story for Plumbing Engineer Magazine for a lining project completed at Fort Knox. The project took a proactive approach to reducing copper leaching throughout 2.5 miles of potable piping systems located at the Army facility.

This type of project demonstrates how in-place pipe lining can be used as a proactive water quality solution for large-scale facilities, government properties, and complex potable water systems.

Lead-Free, Leak-Free Pipe Protection

ePIPE is committed to leading the way toward Lead-Free, Leak-Free™ pipes. By restoring existing pipes from the inside, ePIPE helps property owners, utilities, schools, and facilities address water quality concerns without the cost and disruption of traditional pipe replacement.

For buildings or water systems experiencing concerns related to lead leaching, copper leaching, aging service lines, or potable water pipe corrosion, the patented ePIPE process offers a proven in-place restoration solution.