The City of Chelsea and GreenRoots will host a community meeting about the City’s ongoing efforts to replace toxic lead water pipes across Chelsea on Thursday, September 17, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Chelsea Senior Center, located at 10 Riley Way. Dinner, childcare, and interpretation will be provided.
Since launching Chelsea’s Lead Service Replacement Program, the Department of Public Works has identified 275 lead pipes, contracted the removal of 252 lead pipes, but more than 2,000 pipes of unknown materials remain in the water system.
Chelsea’s Director of Public Health Flor Amaya said, “It’s critical that our community understand that children under age 5 are especially vulnerable to lead exposure, and that Chelsea has the highest population of children in this age group of any city in Massachusetts. Even low levels of exposure can cause learning and behavior problems in children that young. Adult lead exposure can also increase the risk of heart and kidney disease, high blood pressure, and nervous system problems.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, lead water pipes can corrode over time, allowing lead to dissolve into water. Although Chelsea’s drinking water provider, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), distributes water treated for corrosion control, this only decreases the risk of lead exposure.
At the September 17 meeting, the City says residents and property owners can use neighborhoods lead maps to see if their homes have water pipes made of lead, another material, or an unknown material. They will also have a chance to sign up for free water testing, water pipe inspections, and even sign up to have lead service lines removed at no cost to them.
Chelsea’s Assistant City Engineer Jorman Mota said, “Every service line Chelsea inspects removes questions for property owners about their service line material, and every lead service line the city replaces improves property values. Most importantly, identifying and removing lead service lines benefits the health and safety of Chelsea’s families and the overall community, now and for future generations. The City of Chelsea greatly appreciates the community’s support in achieving this goal.”
The City will also provide information on its Lead Hazard Control & Healthy Homes program, a federally funded financial assistance program that provides eligible Chelsea property owners funding to eliminate lead-based paint hazards in homes built before 1978.
This event is part of the City’s holistic approach to getting the lead out of Chelsea. In 2024, the City established a Lead Awareness Task Force to launch coordinated efforts to protect residents from lead exposure. The Chelsea Lead Awareness Task Force is made up of staff from the City’s Water and Sewer Division, Health Department, Housing & Community Development Department, and City Manager’s Office.
Those who wish to have their pipes inspected, or know they have lead service lines, can contact the Lead Hotline (Chelsea 311) at 617-466-4209. Service line inspections are free and quick and will be conducted by trusted City staff.
Additional information about the City’s efforts to protect residents from lead exposure is available at www.chelseama.gov/lead. With questions about the event, please contact Chelsea 311 at 617-466-4209.