Family-friendly event features lead free water updates from DPU, lead poisoning prevention awareness from VDH, interactive activities for children and costume fun

Richmond, VA — The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU), in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), will host a community-wide Lead Awareness Resource Fair on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. This hands-on event coincides with the National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) taking place the last full week of October. This year’s NLPPW theme, Be a Hero: Keep Kids Safe from Lead, aims to highlight how communities can reduce children's exposure to lead and prevent its harmful health effects.

The event is designed as a family-friendly evening of education and guidance, bringing together city officials, health experts, and local organizations to help residents protect their homes and children from lead hazards.

Protecting families from lead exposure is the ultimate goal, as lead is dangerous and poses significant health risks, particularly to infants, young children, pregnant women and the elderly. 

To address these risks, the resource fair will highlight critical community protection initiatives:
•    Lead Free Water Initiative:  The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities Lead Free Water Program is now transitioning to a targeted, block-by-block strategy to identify lead in residential service lines. Identifying where lead and galvanized pipes are will help us plan the equity-first Lead Service Line Replacement strategy beginning in 2027. 

•    Service Line Inventory Map: Residents are invited to participate in learning about and checking on their property’s service line status on the City’s Interactive Water Service Line Inventory Map. DPU staff will be at this event to help residents with lead identification and mitigation resources.  

•    VDH Lead Awareness: VDH’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Program will provide data insights on lead exposure and Office of Drinking water will share actionable guidance on mitigating lead in water hazards.

This is sure to be a fun and educational evening for families. Parents and kids are encouraged to embrace the theme by dressing up as their favorite superhero or in any fun fall costume! Families can gather important health and safety information, while enjoying hands-on activities, educational games, community resources and a few pieces of seasonal candy. 

In addition to DPU and VDH, partner organizations in attendance will include:

•    Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Lead Hazard Reduction Program 
•    project:HOMES 
•    Educational resource providers and more

Event Details 
•    What: National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Resource Fair: “Be A Hero” – Keep Kids Safe from Lead  
•    When: Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 5:30pm – 8:00pm.  
•    Where: Henry Marsh Elementary, 813 N 28th St, Richmond, VA 23223, Richmond, Virginia  
•    Who Should Attend: Families, children, homeowners, renters and community members  
•    Cost: Free and open to the public  
•    Highlights: Superhero & fall costume encouragement, free raffles, finger food, candy and interactive family activities  

About The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities
The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities provides natural gas, water, wastewater, stormwater and streetlight services to more than 500,000 customers in the Richmond metropolitan area. DPU is committed to safety, reliability and innovation in delivering essential utility services that support the city’s residents, businesses and environment.

About Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
The Virginia Department of Health works to protect the health and well-being of all Virginians through public health tracking, drinking water safety programs and lead exposure prevention initiatives.

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