WILMINGTON, DE — Forget the past – Wilmington is rewriting its water infrastructure’s future. The City, in partnership with Wilmington Water and the University of Delaware Water Resources Center, is leading the charge against lead contamination with its groundbreaking Service Line Inventory Map. This ambitious initiative not only ensures Wilmington’s compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) revised Lead and Copper Rule, but it also positions the city as a beacon of progress for public health and infrastructure reform.
Over the last two years, eight dedicated University of Delaware students, guided by the Water Resources Center’s Martha Narvaez and Andrew Homsey, undertook a monumental task—reviewing more than 70,000 water service work orders spanning back to 1916. It wasn’t a simple assignment. These records ranged from handwritten cursive notes a century old to data processed using cutting-edge artificial intelligence and modern GIS technology. But through this painstaking detective work, these students provided Wilmington a clear and detailed account of its water system, including key details like service line materials, installation dates, sizes, and locations.
“This project isn’t just about satisfying regulations—it’s about protecting lives,” said a spokesperson for Wilmington Water. What lies beneath our homes and streets matters. Lead pipes pose a significant health risk, particularly to children, and the EPA’s renewed focus on the Lead and Copper Rule serves as a wake-up call for cities nationwide. Ensuring that service line data is accurate and comprehensive allows municipalities to tackle these risks head-on while paving the way for real progress…