U.S. Patent Makes ePIPE® the Fastest and Most Effective Pipe Lining Process to Reduce Lead Leaching and Save Cities Like Flint

SANTA ANA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pipe Restoration Technologies, LLC, (PRT), a world-leading pipe lining
innovator and manufacturer, announced today that it has been awarded its
14th U.S. patent, Patent #9273815, titled, “Process for Coating the
Interior Surface of Water Service Lines.” Granted by the USPTO, this
patent covers the in-place coating of metallic pipes, including lead,
copper and steel pipes, curing the resin in at least one hour. ePIPE®
in-place lining technology reduces lead leaching from lead pipes and
other in-line lead contributors, such as lead solder, from leaching into
the drinking water supply. Using the ePIPE process, lead levels are
reduced to well below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) cut-off
guidelines for lead, at 10 ug/l (10ppb). The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) cut-off levels for lead, at 15 ug/l (15ppb), are
50 percent higher than recommended by the World Health Organization.

The ePIPE technology is completed to pipes “in-place,” reducing the need
for excessive digging or tearing up roads or buildings’ foundation or
walls. ePIPE is a long-term solution that does not require the addition
of expensive and questionable water treatment chemicals.

“Relying on chemical treatment of the drinking water and getting it
wrong was a major contributor to the Flint poison pipe problem,” Pipe
Restoration Technologies and ACE DuraFlo® CEO Larry Gillanders said.
“Hands down, we offer the best solution to protect drinking water from
lead leaching.”

ePIPE technology is the industry’s fastest and most effective in-place
pipe lining process preventing leaks and greatly reducing lead and
metals from leaching into the drinking water supply.

The Flint, MI, water crisis has brought major attention to the
cumulative effects of lead consumption, especially in pregnant women and
small children. Lead is a dangerous toxin, poisoning drinking water,
with medical experts agreeing there is no amount of lead deemed safe for
consumption. Lead exposure can impair a child’s IQ and cognitive
function and can lead to behavioral problems. High-profile environmental
activists, such as Erin Brockovich and Former First Lady of the United
States, Hillary Clinton, are getting involved in raising awareness and
attempting to find a solution.

“We are already providing our ePIPE technology as a solution to lead
leaching in England, and we have already provided the ePIPE solution to
thousands of properties in the U.S.,” said Gillanders.
“We are prepared to help cities like Flint to bring their water pipes
into lead leaching compliance, using this efficient, effective and
proven solution. With our licensed network of plumbing companies
across the country that use ePIPE, we are asking all cities and building
owners who are dealing with lead compliance issues to contact us so that
we can protect their drinking water. Our non-invasive epoxy coating
system can bring lead contaminated water systems into compliance within
hours, without causing destruction or closing down streets. This is a
win-win for cities and their citizens.”

Lead service pipes are not the only contributor to lead in drinking
water. Lead solder, which was used on copper piping systems, is a lead
contributor and as seen recently in the Hong Kong Lead Crisis, can
elevate lead levels from 10 to 60 times the allowable limit. Prior to
1988, lead solder was a commonly installed material used with the
installation of copper piping systems in the U.S. and Canada.

About Pipe Restoration Technologies, LLC:

PRT is the parent company of the ePIPE product and worldwide group of
installers that utilize the patented ePIPE process to restore pipes
in-place. An alternative to a destructive repipe, this process is
achieved using an application of an epoxy barrier coating, which results
in a restored, epoxy lined piping system. The process provides a remedy
for pinhole leaks, corrosion control and prevention of lead leaching
from pipes without the destruction or disruption encountered by pipe
replacements. PRT and its affiliated companies have locations throughout
the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, Mexico and Hong Kong.
For more information, contact PRT at www.epipeinfo.com
or (888) 775-0220.

Contacts

Pipe Restoration Technologies, LLC
Virginia Steverson
Director
of Marketing
888-775-0220
vsteverson@aceduraflo.com