Water Service Line Inventory

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Information About Lead
Main Water Service Line Inventory webpage

The Environmental Protection Agency, under 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 141.84, requires all public water distribution systems in the United States to develop an inventory of water service lines – the pipes that connect and provide water from the utilities’ water mains to buildings and homes – by October 16, 2024. The inventory includes the material makeup of each service line and may be classified as either non-lead, lead, galvanized or unknown. The goal of the requirement is to identify lead service lines and minimize lead exposure in drinking water.

Graphic of a water service line identifying the KC Water side and customer side.

Health Effects of Lead in Drinking Water

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.

The heavy metal was used for most of the 20th century in paint, gasoline, and other household products, in addition to potentially being present in some older pipes or plumbing, before its impact was known.

Lead can be a significant risk to pregnant women and children under six years old. Infants and young children are most susceptible to the risks of lead exposure. Because they are growing, children’s bodies absorb more lead than adults do, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to its damaging effects. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has found that there are no safe levels of lead in children. Also, it can also pose a cardiovascular risk to older adults. (Source: EPA, Lead and Copper Rules Revisions)

Steps to Reduce Lead in Your Drinking Water

  • Run the cold water tap for two minutes before using it for drinking and cooking. Lead and other metals can dissolve in water when it sits in pipes for a few hours.
  • Drain your water heater annually. Over time metals, sediment, and bacteria can build up in your water heater.
  • Remove and clean faucet aerators. Lead particles and sediment can collect in the aerator screen located at the tip of your faucet. Aerators should be replaced once a year and are available at local hardware stores.
  • Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Always use cold tap water, including water used for making ice, beverages, and infant formula. Hot tap water can cause a greater amount of lead to be released from plumbing and may contain metals and bacteria that build up in the water heater. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
  • Replace private lead service pipes and household galvanized plumbing. Replace private lead service pipes with new pipes. When lead is released from lead service pipes and passes through galvanized pipes, lead can collect on the interior corroded walls of this plumbing and release lead in household water. Contact a licensed plumber about replacing household plumbing.
  • Flush cold water taps after installing new household pipes or fixtures. New plumbing can release metals after installation. Flush cold water taps for five minutes at a high flow rate once a day for three days, especially before using water for drinking or cooking.
  • Use filtered tap water. If you are pregnant or have children under age six, use cold, filtered tap water for drinking and cooking until all lead sources are removed. This includes water used for making infant formula, beverages, and ice. Select a filter certified to meet NSF Standard 53 for lead. The filter package should specifically list the device as certified for removing the contaminant lead. Routinely replace filter cartridges according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Service Line Insert mailed with Notification Letters in multiple languages: