GENERAL INFORMATION ON LEAD and DRINKING WATER
About Lead
Some homes may have a water service line (running from the water main to homes) that is made of lead. Generally, water service lines are composed of galvanized steel, copper, plastic, or lead. Lead can also be found in older brass fixtures and valves, and in old solder where pipes are joined.
NPPWD is in full compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), which requires that a utility sample water from resident's cold water tap that has been in contact with the internal plumbing for 6 hours. NPPWD is on a reduced monitoring schedule, which takes place every three years as a result of several consecutive years of compliance within the testing program with the EPA.
To see an interactive map of the service line materials in our District area, click the image to the right.
Drinking Water
There is no lead present in NPPWD's source water or in the treated drinking water. To the best of our knowledge, there are no homes in the NPPWD service area that have lead service lines.Some homes may have a water service line (running from the water main to homes) that is made of lead. Generally, water service lines are composed of galvanized steel, copper, plastic, or lead. Lead can also be found in older brass fixtures and valves, and in old solder where pipes are joined.
NPPWD is in full compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), which requires that a utility sample water from resident's cold water tap that has been in contact with the internal plumbing for 6 hours. NPPWD is on a reduced monitoring schedule, which takes place every three years as a result of several consecutive years of compliance within the testing program with the EPA.
To see an interactive map of the service line materials in our District area, click the image to the right.
HELPFUL LINKS
How Lead Gets into Drinking Water
The water provided by your drinking water utility is lead-free. Lead enters drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead services lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water.
Lead Service Lines
To the best of our knowledge, there are no homes in the NPPWD service area that have a lead service line. Water service lines are the underground pipes that connect home plumbing systems to public water mains. Water service lines can be made of plastic, copper, galvanized steel or iron, and lead. Metal pipes may also use lead in soldered joints.
Lead Service Lines (LSLs) were installed up until the 1960s, and while many have been replaced, there are still large numbers in use. There are limited records on water service lines on private property as many were installed decades ago and may have been tampered with or replaced since then. The only way to properly identify and inventory LSLs is with property-by-property assessing. The EPA has made the finding and replacing of LSLs a public health priority.
How to Identify Your Service Line Material
To the best of our knowledge, there are no homes in the NPPWD service area that have a lead service line. While all of our data suggests this is the case, we are also working to confirm this through audits. As our Staff replaces meters or repairs services lines, we are tracking the materials encountered in the field. We can also use your help to confirm service line materials through our survey!Step 1 - Locate the water meter; find the water pipe coming from the floor or basement wall.
Step 2 - Identify the direction of the water flow based on the arrow on the meter body (the arrow should be pointing to the home side of the service line).
Step 3 - Identify the material type based on the chart below:
Step 4 - Return the survey!
Step 2 - Identify the direction of the water flow based on the arrow on the meter body (the arrow should be pointing to the home side of the service line).
Step 3 - Identify the material type based on the chart below:
Step 4 - Return the survey!
TESTING WATER IN SCHOOLS & DAYCARES
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed a regulation called the Lead and Copper Rule Revision that went into effect January 1, 2025. This regulation requires public water utilities to begin testing for lead in elementary schools and childcare facilities that are supplied with the utilities water. Beginning in October 2025, we will begin testing schools and childcare facilities. While lead is a naturally occurring element found in the earth’s crust that has beneficial uses, it has also been found that it can be toxic to humans and animals, causing health effects. Although there is no lead present in NPPWD's source water or in the treated drinking water; to the best of our knowledge, there are no connections in the North Park Water service area that have lead service lines., we are still required to complete the EPA water quality testing.
Below are more helpful resources regarding the program.
Below are more helpful resources regarding the program.
