Lead Service Line Inventory Report

Service Line Inventory as Required by Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)

Notice of Service Line Made of Unknown Material

In accordance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) revised Lead and Copper Rule (LCRR), Lakewood Utilities recently added to our efforts to reduce possible lead exposure in drinking water.  Over the last 24 months, Lakewood Utilities conducted an initial inventory of our service lines that connect our water mains to your water meter to determine if any of the lines are made of lead.

During our work, Lakewood Utilities was not able to determine the material used for the service line delivering water to your property.  Because your line is “unknown,” there is the potential that some or all the service line could be made of lead or galvanized pipe that was previously connected to lead.  People living in homes with a lead or galvanized pipe previously connected to a lead service line have an increased risk of exposure to lead from their drinking water.

It is important to note that finding a line of unknown material does not mean you have been exposed to lead.  Lakewood Utilities’ treatment process greatly reduces the possibility lead from service lines could end up in your water.

However, the existence of an unknown line may increase your risk of exposure.  This webpage serves to notify you of this risk, inform you of steps being taken by Lakewood Utilities, and provide information to help you reduce your risk of lead exposure. If you feel our finding is inaccurate, or if you have any questions, please contact us at 843-447-7371 or via email at [email protected].

Health effects of lead

Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or worsen existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney, or nervous system problems.

What Lakewood Utilities is doing to protect you from potential exposure to lead

It is important to note Lakewood Utilities’ drinking water is lead-free when it leaves our treatment plant, but as water travels through our system to your faucet, lead can enter the water through service lines or the corrosion of plumbing materials in your private home or building plumbing.

Our water treatment process targets the possibility of lead entering our system or your plumbing, minimizing the possibility it may leach into the water.  We perform routine water testing to ensure their treatment is effective and our overall results are published every year in our Water Quality Report.

At your property, the service line material on Lakewood Utilities’ side is unknown and, under the Lead and Copper Rule, Lakewood Utilities will continue our inventory work until all lines are identified.  Ownership of the water service line is split between Lakewood Utilities and the property owner as shown in the graphic below.  Lakewood Utilities owns the service line from the street to the pedestal (curb stop shown in diagram) and the property owner is responsible for the service line from the pedestal (displayed as curb stop in diagram) to the building.

If you suspect you have a lead line, you can use the survey to set up an appointment with Lakewood Utilities staff.  To help you reduce your potential exposure to lead, Lakewood Utilities is providing a list of steps you can take to reduce lead in drinking water in the Frequently Asked Questions section below.

Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is also available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.  If you would like more information on reducing your overall lead exposure around your home and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/lead or contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at 1(800) 424-5323.

Lakewood Utilities thanks you for your consideration as we work together to remove possible exposure to lead from our water lines and your home or building plumbing.  If you have any questions or concerns about your drinking water, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling 843-447-7371 or via email at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions – Notice of a Service Line Made of Unknown Material

What is a “service line”?

A service line is an underground pipe that carries water from Lakewood Utilities’ water main to a home or business.  Each service line requires connections to the water main and to the water lines and plumbing on a customer’s property.

Each service line and connection may consist of multiple plumbing material types including, but not limited to, lead, copper, galvanized iron, and plastic.

What is an “initial service line inventory?”

In 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the Lead & Copper Rule (LCRR) to include a new requirement that all water utilities across the country must create initial inventories of their water service lines and connections to find any lead service line or connection that may exist in a water system.  These inventories must also include the customers’ side of the water meter.

Over the last 18 months to meet the initial inventory requirement, Lakewood Utilities’ conducted an initial inventory of our service lines that connect our water mains to your water meter to determine if any of the lines are made of lead.  For more information about the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule, visit www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/revised-lead-and-copper-rule.

Should I be concerned about Lakewood Utilities not knowing what my service line is made of?

It is important to note that finding a line of unknown material does not mean you have been exposed to lead.  Lakewood Utilities’ treatment process greatly reduces the possibility lead from service lines could end up in your water.

However, the existence of an unknown line may increase your risk of exposure.  The enclosed letter and this FAQ serve to notify you of this risk, inform you of steps being taken by Lakewood Utilities, and provide information to help you reduce your risk of lead exposure. If you feel our finding is inaccurate, or if you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact us at 843-447-7371 or via email at [email protected].

What is Lakewood Utilities doing to try to identify what my service line is made of?

Lakewood Utilities will continue our inventory work until all service lines are identified. To help with the inventory process, Lakewood Utilities has partnered with  120Water to research our lines and create a digital inventory for the system.

To help you reduce your potential exposure to lead, Lakewood Utilities is providing the following list of steps you can take to reduce lead in drinking water.

How do I reduce my potential exposure to lead?

• Run the cold water to flush out lead. If water has not been used for several hours, run the cold-water faucet for 5 minutes to flush lead from interior plumbing or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using for drinking or cooking.
• Use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.
  • Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water.
  • Do not use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula.
• Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
• Seek alternative water sources or treatment. You may want to consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter.
  • If you use a filter, make sure it is certified to remove lead. Read the directions to learn how to properly install and use your cartridge and when to replace it.
    • Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead.
    • Do not run hot water through the filter.
  • Contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 or www.nsf.org for information on performance standards for water filters.
• Clean your faucet aerators. Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also referred to as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and metals, including lead particles, can collect in the aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
  • • These screens should be removed and cleaned regularly.
    • After removing the aerator, it is recommended you flush the cold-water line for 5 minutes.
• Test your water for lead. The only way to determine the level of lead in drinking water at your home/building is to have the water tested. If you would like your water tested, contact us at 843-447-7371.
• Test your child’s lead level. Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about exposure.

Where can I get more information?

Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is also available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Providing safe, reliable drinking water to our consumers and the community is our top priority. Should you require any additional information or assistance, please feel free to reach out to us at 843-447-7371 or email us at [email protected].