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 will be sending out lead surveys in the coming weeks to our water customers. Due to a change in the Lead and Copper Rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it is required that water utilities identify the material of water service lines in local homes, businesses, and schools. The primary purpose of the EPA’s ruling is to identify homes that have lead water service lines which were commonly installed in homes constructed prior to 1986.

        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.

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.