Especially for IFN

In response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent lead and copper rule review, the City of Statesville has initiated a comprehensive program to ensure water customers are further protected from potential lead and copper exposure in their drinking water.

This new program focuses on identifying and evaluating water lines throughout the city, specifically targeting homes built in or before 1986 that may contain lead pipes or solder.

“Providing safe, reliable drinking water is our highest priority,” said Bill Vaughan, Director of Public Services. “The goal of this initiative is to identify potential lead materials in water lines and to provide guidance to our water customers if such materials are found.”

The use of lead pipes and solder was banned in 1986. Houses built before 1986 are more likely to contain these materials, which can leach into the water as it passes through the pipes. Homes built after 1986 are exempt from the new inventory requirements.

The EPA’s revised rule requires the city to assess all water lines and identify them as one of three categories: lead material, galvanized metal or non-lead material such as copper, PVC or iron. Galvanized metal does not contain lead but may increase the risk of lead exposure, according to the EPA.

To comply with EPA’s rule and collect accurate information, the City of Statesville uses several methods to inventory service lines, including reviewing historical records, performing physical inspections, and offering an online survey where residents can report the type of pipe material in their homes.

“Our water is lead-free when it leaves the treatment plant,” explained Vaughan, “and the city’s water chemistry is managed in such a way as to minimize the risk of lead entering the water from service lines containing lead materials. However, there is a chance that lead could potentially get into the water through older service lines and plumbing in homes. That’s why this inventory is so critical.”

As part of the service line inventory process, the City will send letters to water customers the week of November 11th. These letters are required by EPA and will be sent to customers with service lines that have been identified as lead or galvanized material, and to customers whose service lines have not yet been evaluated.

Customers whose service lines have been identified as non-lead material will not receive a letter or require further action.

So far, over half of the 14,500 water pipes connected to the city’s water system have been evaluated. Of those assessed, the city has identified approximately 800 galvanized metal service lines and no lead lines.

The EPA requires the inventory process to be completed by November 2027. At that time, the EPA requires the city to implement a plan to replace any lead service lines, as well as some galvanized lines.

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For more information on the lead and copper rule audit or to participate in the service line inventory, visit www.statesvillenc.net or call 704-768-5555.