Lead Line Surveys

! PLEASE HELP YOUR CITY COMPLETE THIS SERVICE LINE INVENTORY!

Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Inventory Requirements

40 CFR 141.84, EPA Lead Copper Rule Revised (LCRR), requires that all community and non-transient, non-community public water systems develop an initial lead service line inventory (LSLI) to identify the materials of service lines connected to the public water distribution system and submit it to the state by October 16, 2024.

  

SURVEY COPY

       

The City of Follansbee recently completed an initial service line inventory for our water system. The purpose of the inventory is to identify the plumbing materials used in water service lines and identify any service lines made from lead.  Water service lines provide drinking water to your residence from the water main.  A portion of the service line is owned by the Follansbee Municipal Water System (on public property) and a portion is owned by the customer (on private property).

During the initial inventory, we were unable to find information on the material of the service lines that provides water to 545 customers.  The service line material is currently UNKNOWN in our inventory and may be lead. We need your help to identify the service line material.

Letters have gone out to the customers with unknown lines on October 25, 2024 and we urge our water customers to complete the survey and return it to the City of Follansbee by the date that is stated in the letter. The back of survey includes directions on how to locate and identify the service line. If you are not the owner of the residence or business, you may complete this survey or notify the owner and request that they complete it. If the customer has misplaced or needs a new survey, a blank one can be located on the City of Follansbee website.

If you would like help to identify your service line material, Please contact Jessica Gumm at 304-527-1330 Ext 205 to schedule an appointment.

Customers can submit their survey by the following options:

By Mail                                                                                                                In Person                                                               24 Hour Drop off Box located in the foyer
City of Follansbee                                                                                       City of Follansbee                                                                              City of Follansbee
P.O. Box 606                                                                                                 872 Main Street                                                                                 872 Main Street
Follansbee, WV 26037                                                                               Follansbee, WV 26037                                                                      Follansbee, WV 26037

The City of Follansbee appreciates your participation and quick response.

How to locate your service line

Begin by locating your water meter. Some water meters can be located close to the street near the curb or sidewalk. Look for a metal or concrete lid with “Water Meter” or “Water” written on the top. Your main water service line will run underground from the meter to the closest wall of your house. Because we live in an area prone to freezing, this line will emerge in a garage, basement or first floor of the home. A valve will be attached to the line as it enters the house. Keep in mind that this valve could be near the floor or above your head in floor joists. If your basement is finished, it is possible that the valve has been covered. Look for access panels in ceilings, on walls or even in closets. Some Water meters can be located inside the building, the service line is attached to the valve then to the meter that is coming into from the outside.  If you are unable to locate your water service line, it may be beneficial to contact a plumber. They can both locate your line and help determine the material of the line.

 

Identifying water Service line material

Water service lines can be plastic (PVC), copper, galvanized steel, or lead. A good place to start is a simple visual inspection.

  • Plastic is a smooth pipe of various colors (e.g., white, blue, black, and green).
  • Copper is the color of a penny.
  • Galvanized is a dull, silver-gray color that is difficult to scratch.
  • Lead is a soft metal that is a dull, silver-gray color. It is easily scratched with a coin or key, and the scratched areas will appear shiny. Lead pipe is commonly attached to other types of pipe with a “wiped” joint. This is a rounded ball of lead that connects the pipe to other materials.

 

 If the pipe is metal, here are some steps that may be helpful in identifying the material of the pipe.

 Magnet Test

Magnets will stick only to galvanized lines, not lead or copper pipes.

Scratch Test

Use the flat edge of a screwdriver to scratch through any corrosion buildup on the outside of the pipe. Do not use a knife or other sharp instrument to prevent puncturing the pipe. Each service line will produce a different scratch. When Scratched:

  • A galvanized line will remain a dull gray color.
  • A copper line will shine and be the color of a penny.
  • If the area is shiny and silver, the line is likely lead.

Tap Test:

  • Tap the line with a penny…
  • Tapping a galvanized pipe will produce a metallic ringing,
  • Tapping a copper pipe will produce a metallic ringing.
  • Tapping a lead pipe will produce a dull noise.

What is Lead and How Does it Enter Water?

Lead is a heavy metal that can be toxic to humans and animals, causing health effects. Lead is rarely found in source water and typically enters drinking water through the wearing away (corrosion) of plumbing materials that contain lead.  The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, such as lead service lines, and faucets and fixtures that contain lead. Other sources of lead may include older types of paint, contaminated soil, or other household products. Lead in drinking water is tasteless, colorless, and odorless and can only be detected by lab analysis. 

If Follansbee Municipal Water System finds lead service lines during our service line inventory, we will work to replace them with non-lead materials so that all residents are served with safe and reliable drinking water.

What are the 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 exacerbate 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.

If you are concerned about your child’s health, contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child’s blood tested for lead.

What are Best Practices to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water?

    • Run your water before use. After periods of time without using water (e.g., each morning, returning home from work, returning from vacation) allow the water to run at the tap for a few minutes to flush water through the service line and plumbing in the home before using it for drinking or cooking. Taking a shower, running the dishwasher, or flushing the toilet will also help to flush your lines.
    • Clean your aerator. Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can enter your water.
    • Investigate plumbing materials of fixtures, faucets, interior pipes, and solder. Faucets, joints, interior pipes, solder, and other fixtures can all contain small amounts of lead. Copper pipes may also be joined with lead solder. If you find materials that contain lead, it is recommended to replace them or use a certified filter.
    • Use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap as 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 does not remove lead.
    • Consider filtering your water. Obtain an ANSI (American National Standards Institute) water filter that is certified to remove lead.