WARREN, Ohio - The City of Warren will begin exploratory digging in the coming weeks as part of a federally mandated initiative to identify and catalog water service line materials throughout the city. The “Get the Lead out Warren” effort announced on the city’s Facebook page is a step in the city's ongoing effort to replace all lead service lines and ensure safe drinking water.

The exploratory digging, also known as potholing, will involve excavating a small hole directly around water shut-off valves on city-owned property in front of residences. This process will verify the material of existing service lines, providing essential data for a comprehensive inventory required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Residents may notice flagging in streets and yards indicating the locations for these inspections. The Warren Water Department is available to answer any questions about the process at (330) 841-2531.

The current phase builds upon previous efforts by the City of Warren to address the presence of lead pipes. In July 2024, city officials, alongside EPA representatives, highlighted the "Get the Lead Out" initiative, which aims to remove unsafe lead pipes nationwide. At that time, it was estimated that Warren could have up to 2,000 service lines needing replacement.