Why did I receive a letter about my service line?
New EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulations require us to notify all customers served through a water service line made of lead, galvanized steel that is or was downstream of lead, or unknown materials. It is meant to explain the health risks of lead exposure, share simple precautions that can be taken to minimize any, and where to find more information about lead safety.
The letter does not mean that lead is present in your drinking water. EPA requires all public water systems to send this notification to customers annually starting this fall. New customers will also receive a copy when they begin service. You will continue to receive a copy of this letter each year until your service line is replaced, or if it is unknown, until the material is confirmed to be non-lead.
Is my water safe to drink?
Yes. The Auburn Water District (AWD) treats, tests, and distributes high-quality drinking water to you and the community. Water provided by AWD water is lead-free when it leaves our treatment plants, and our water mains (the pipes that distribute water throughout the community) are not made of lead. AWD manages the water quality at each treatment facility to help prevent corrosion throughout the system and in privately-owned service lines and plumbing.
We regularly test our water for lead and other contaminants in accordance with EPA standards. Our water consistently meets or exceeds all federal and state safety standards, and in all of our sampling, we have never had lead levels exceed the EPA’s action level.
How can lead get into drinking water?
After water leaves the AWD water main, it may be exposed to lead as it flows through privately-owned water service lines and indoor plumbing and fixtures. AWD routinely tests water at 60 sites throughout the entire water distribution system to confirm the water meets all state and federal requirements, including lead and copper limits. However, like all public water systems across the United States right now, we are diligently working to find and remove all lead containing components that could pose any health risk to our community.
Are all homes at risk?
No. We are specifically concerned about water service lines made of lead, or galvanized steel pipe that may have been attached to a lead connector or ‘gooseneck’, which is a short flexible piece of pipe (often made of lead) that was commonly used to connect service lines to water mains. A large majority of homes and non-residential buildings we serve do not have these, however since we lack the documentation needed to prove otherwise, there is the potential for some service lines to have a gooseneck. The District has identified approximately a dozen galvanized steel pipes and has never found a full lead water service, as some communities across the country have historically used.
What exactly is a water service line?
The water service line is the pipe that connects a home or other types of buildings to the AWD-owned water distribution system. Water service lines are the piping that carries water from the town’s public water supply in the underground water mains outside of your property directly to the plumbing fixtures inside of your property.
Who owns and maintains water service lines?
The property-owner owns and maintains the water service from the property line into the house. The District owns and maintains the section of service line that runs from the water main to the property line, including the shut-off located at the property line.
How can I find out if my service line may contain lead?
AWD has submitted the initial Water Service Line Inventory (SLI), which is publicly available to all our customers at the Auburn Water District’s office.
If I have an Unknown service line, how will AWD figure out its material?
If there are no records to indicate the material of the public portion (owned by the District) service line and our predictive model has not been able to determine it is non-lead with a very high degree of confidence, it was listed as ‘Unknown’, in which case AWD will continue its efforts over the next several years to figure out the material of the service. This could include inspecting pipes where they can be accessed, or vacuum excavation to be able to visually inspect the service line.
The District is still asking our customers to please complete the Customer Survey Form using this link Auburn Customer Water Service Line Form. Enter your address, account number, select the material that the private portion of your service line is made of (if you were able to determine), and upload one or more pictures of your pipe where it enters the building.
What does AWD do to protect costumers from lead?
In order to prevent lead from dissolving into water from lead service lines or home plumbing, the District adjusts the water’s chemistry at the treatment plant and pumping station. This process is known as corrosion control. We sample water at homes considered to be high risk in order to ensure our corrosion control remains effective. Although corrosion control can reduce risks, the best way to assure your home is safe from lead exposure through water is to remove the potential sources of lead.
Should I have my water tested?
If you would like to have you’re water quality tested, at your own expense, you should contact a state-certified laboratory. We regularly test our water for lead and other contaminants in accordance with EPA standards. Our water consistently meets or exceeds all federal and state safety standards, and in all of our sampling, we have never had lead levels exceed the EPA’s action level, and you can verify this data by going to our website where you will find our Consumer Confidence Report (CRR) here: Annual Consumer Confidence Reports – Auburn Water District or you may also get a hard copy at our office located at 75 Church Street.
How do I protect myself from lead?
If you have a service line made of lead or galvanized steel requiring replacement, or if you want to take extra measure to protect yourself in the event you have any lead in your interior plumbing and fixtures, here are simple measure that can be taken to reduce your risk.
- Replace plumbing materials containing lead and safely remove lead paint. Contact us to let us know you plan to replace your line. Also consider replacing brass faucets, fittings, and valves in your building plumbing that contain lead. If you believe you have lead paint, hire a professional to safely remove it.
- Run the cold water to flush out lead. The longer the water sits on leaded plumbing, the more lead it may contain. Let the water run from the tap before using it for drinking or cooking any time the water in the faucet has gone unused for more than six hours. For more detailed instructions on flushing, please refer to EPA guidance at http://www.epa.gov/
- Use cold, flushed water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Lead can dissolve into hot water more easily than cold water. Note that boiling water does not remove lead.
- Remove and clean aerators/screens on plumbing fixtures. Over time, lead sediment can collect in aerator screens. Remove and clean aerators screens at least twice a year by soaking the screen in vinegar and scrubbing it with a toothbrush.
- Test your water for lead. State-approved commercial labs provide water testing kits for lead. Like lead swabs, water testing may help you identify sources of lead in your building plumbing.
- Get your child tested. If you believe your child has been exposed to lead, contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can order a blood test.
- Purchase a water filter. Some water filters are designed to remove lead from your tap water. Read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead.
If AWD determines our home or business has a lead service line or galvanized line requiring replacement, will it be replaced?
Yes, but this may not happen right away. Given the number of service lines that may require replacement in our system, it will take several years to plan and complete this work. EPA has proposed requiring all public water systems ensure these service lines are replaced no later than 2037. If you have any questions or concerns please call our office at (508) 832-5336.