Lead in Drinking Water is Dangerous
Does Your Drinking Water Have Lead?
Follow These Steps to Find Out:
Why?
Sample City needs your help identifying possible locations of lead piping so it can be documented. You and your family’s health could be at risk (children under 6 years are most susceptible).
The goal of this survey is to identify and remove all lead pipes in the drinking water system. Some homes (typically built before 1988 in Kansas) may have lead service lines on the customer’s property that connect to the water system’s main lines. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is requiring all water suppliers to submit this information before October 16, 2024.
If the required information cannot be gathered from the homeowner, KDHE may require the water supplier to excavate private lines to identify them. That would be very time-consuming, expensive for the City, and could tear up your yard. Can you help us complete this requirement?
Step 1: Locate Your Service Line
A service line is a small diameter pipe (typically 3/4 – 1 inch diameter) that provides water to your home or business. If you don’t already know where your service line is, the first step is to locate your water meter. Typically, the water meter is located outside in your yard near the street or sidewalk.
The service line will enter your home or business in the closest location to the meter (basement, crawl space, front closet, etc.) and should have a shutoff valve on the line to isolate the main water service line from plumbing inside the building.
Right now, we are primarily interested in the pipe material from the meter to the shutoff valve at the residence or business. Anything from the street to the meter, our Utilities Department will identify.
If you are unable to determine which pipe is coming from the street and there are different materials on either side of the shutoff valve, enter the material found based on the severity starting with lead, galvanized, and copper. Note that your service line is not the pipe located under a sink.
Step 2: Identify Your Service Line Material
- Use a refrigerator magnet to perform the Magnet Test, explained below.
- Use a key or coin to perform the Scratch Test, explained below.
- Ensure your service line is clean and free of debris to get an accurate visual inspection and quality photo of the service line and shutoff valve.
Galvanized Steel Pipe
If a magnet sticks to the pipe, it is galvanized steel.
A scratch test is not needed.
Lead Pipe
A magnet will not stick to a lead pipe.
If the scratched area is shiny silver and flakes off, the pipe is lead.
Copper Pipe
A magnet will not stick to a copper pipe.
If the scratched area is copper in color, like a penny, the pipe is copper.
Step 3: Take a Photo*
*Pictures are recommended, but not required.
- Take a photo of the shutoff valve, including the pipe on both sides of the valve.
- If your device has a camera, you’ll have the option of taking a photo while completing the survey. Otherwise, please take a photo before starting the survey and upload it before submitting the survey.
- If your service line appears to le lead-based, please click here for additional information.
Step 4: Submit Your Survey
Please click below to take the survey. If you have any lead or copper questions, please email or call the City at: sample@city.com or (123) 555-9999.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I find my service line?
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Why do I need to take this survey?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced changes to drinking water regulations that require water suppliers to identify all materials used in the construction of the water system. The goal of these changes is to identify and remove all lead pipes in the drinking water system. Piping containing lead can become a potential health risk in drinking water. Some homes (typically built before 1988 in Kansas) may have lead service lines on the customer’s property that connect to the water system’s main lines. The water supplier must identify all construction materials used on both the supplier’s AND the customer’s side of the water meter, which means that we will need your help!
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is requiring all water suppliers to submit this information before October 16, 2024. If the required information cannot be gathered from the homeowner, KDHE may require the water supplier to excavate private lines to identify them. That would be very time consuming and expensive. We need your help to complete this requirement. Please submit your survey here.
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What do I do if my service line appears to be lead-based?
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