ePIPE receives Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for reducing lead leaching into drinking water

Pipe Restoration Technologies, LLC, (PRT) today announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on its innovative ePIPE® in-place lining technology, which reduces lead, from lead pipes and other in-line lead contributors from leaching into the drinking water supply. Using the ePIPE process, lead levels are reduced to below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines for lead of 10 ug/l (10ppb).

The Patent Application (No. 13/566377), “Process for Coating the Interior Surface of Water Service Lines” was allowed by the USPTO, which covers the in-place coating of lead pipes, curing the resin, in at least 1 hour and when cured reduces lead in the water supply to less than 10 ug/l (10 ppb). The process is completed to pipes “in-place” reducing the need for excessive digging or tearing up a buildings foundation or walls as is common using conventional pipe replacement methods. ePIPE protected pipes and fittings allow water suppliers to discontinue the use of lead inhibitors such as phosphate dosing.

It is estimated that 25% of domestic dwellings in the EU have a lead pipe, either as a connection to the water main, or as part of the internal plumbing, or both, potentially putting 120 million people at risk from lead in drinking water within the EU. An estimated 38 million properties in the US are affected by lead leaching into the water supply.

Lead is a cumulative poison, and exposure can affect nearly every system in the body. Children under 6 and pregnant women are the most susceptible to the negative health effects of lead exposure.

With the ePIPE product and process, water supply pipes running from the water main to the kitchen tap can be restored “in-place” in a matter of a few hours per property.

“We have already completed lead reduction programs with several proactive Water Utilities and Housing Councils in the UK. In all cases, after the ePIPE process, a first draw of standing water, tested at the kitchen tap for lead, was found to be in compliance with new WHO/EU guidelines”, commented CEO, Larry Gillanders.

Corresponding patent applications have also been filed in other geographies including the European Union.

About ePIPE®
The patented ePIPE process involves restoring pipes in-place, with an application of an epoxy barrier coating resulting in a restored epoxy lined piping system. The process provides for a solution for pinhole leaks, epoxy lining, corrosion control and prevention of lead leaching from pipes. ePIPE service providers are located in the US, Canada, Mexico, Russia and Europe.