Water Service Line identification Survey
Recently, the Federal Government mandated that municipalities must find out where lead services are located throughout the community to begin the process of eliminating them. Lead, unlike other drinking water contaminants, is usually not present in the drinking water source. It results from the distribution system or on-site plumbing itself. Lead gets into water at the tap when water corrodes lead in pipes, fixtures, and solder. The most impactful way to reduce the risk of exposure to lead in drinking water is to remove the lead service line that brings water to your home from the water main in the street.
What is a Water Service Line and Who Owns It?
A water service line is the pipe that runs from the water main to a home or building’s internal plumbing. They are the pipes that carry water from the Village’s watermain in the street into homes and other buildings. In St. Anne, the water service lines are owned by the village from the water main to the meter well or curb stop. From the meter well or curb stop to the meter well or curb stop into the home. The water service lines from the water main to the internal plumbing are owned by the individual property owners.
Lead Service Lines
St. Anne’s water mains are leadfree. However, some homes may have a service line that is made
of lead or lead components. One of the primary sources for lead in drinking water in our homes are lead service lines (LSLs). LSLs transport treated public water into our homes and may leach lead from pipes into your drinking water. Older homes, especially those built before 1986, are more likely to have lead service lines, fixtures, and solder. However, even newer “lead-free” fixtures could contain lead.
How Do I Check My Service Line’s Material?
To find out if you have a copper, lead, or galvanized steel service on your property, you (or your landlord) can perform a test on the water service line where it connects to the water meter to determine the material of the water service line on your property.
