By Brandie Gay
In a groundbreaking move to ensure the safety and health of its citizens, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a new mandate requiring all cities to inspect their service lines to each residence.
This initiative is aimed to identify and replace aging or hazardous infrastructure, particularly those made of lead, which poses significant health risks. Pursuant to the EPA’s forthcoming Lead and Copper Rule Revisions released in December 2020, the Vandalia will contract out this job to ensure that all the materials being used in the city’s water system are known, inventoried, and up to modern standards.
Because there is no lead in the water delivered to your home, particles of lead could get into your drinking water as it passes through Lead Service Lines in your residence.
The Lead and Copper Rule Revisions were finalized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Dec. 22, 2020. These revisions represent the first major update to the Lead and Copper Rule in nearly 30 years, which is aimed to better protect children and communities from lead exposure in drinking water.
Key changes in the LCRR
Introduction of a new lead trigger level of 0.010 mg/L to prompt more proactive actions.
Mandatory testing in schools and childcare facilities to ensure safe drinking water for children.
Water systems to create and maintain a public inventory of lead service lines.
Enhanced public notification and reporting requirements in case of lead action level exceedances.
These revisions are part of a broader effort to reduce lead exposure and improve public health protections. If you have any specific questions about the rule or its implementation, feel free to contact the EPA’s Region 7 office, which serves Missouri, at 913-551-7003 or toll-free at 1-800-223-0425.
The Department of Natural Resources awarded Vandalia a substantial grant to kickstart the city’s inspection and replacement program. The grant was part of a larger initiative to support cities in complying with the new EPA mandate. The project is set to begin in early 2025, marking a significant step forward for the community.
Regular updates will be provided through City Council meetings, social media, the city’s website, and local newspapers. Residents were encouraged to participate by reporting any issues they noticed with their water supply. This project will improve the city’s infrastructure.
Here are some ways to identify a lead water service pipe: Tools needed to test–a flathead screwdriver, magnet and a coin.
Step No. 1, Locate the water service line coming into your home or building. The incoming water service in your home or building can either come from the basement floor or out of the sidewall through the floor of the main level of the building. Once the service line is located where it enters the building/house, you will need to identify the test area. The test area should be within the very first foot of the pipe entering the building. If the pipe is covered or wrapped, expose a small area of the pipe.
Step No. 2, Scratch the surface of the pipe. Use a flat edge of a screwdriver to scratch through any corrosion that may have built up on the outside of the pipe. Do not use a knife or other sharp instruments that could puncture a hole in the pipe.
Step No. 3, Each pipe will produce a different type of scratch, react to a magnet differently and produce a unique sound when tapped with a metal coin.
Lead Pipes – If the scraped area is shiny and silver, your service line is lead. A magnet will not stick to a lead pipe and tapping a lead pipe with a coin, the sound will produce a dull noise.
Copper Pipes – The scratched area will be copper in color and look like the color of a penny. If this is the case, your line is copper. A magnet will not stick to a lead pipe and tapping a lead pipe with a coin, the sound will produce a metallic ringing noise.
Galvanized Pipes – If the scraped area remains dull gray, your service line is galvanized steel. A magnet will stick to a lead pipe and tapping a lead pipe with a coin, the sound will produce a metallic ringing noise.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Vandalia City Hall at 573-594-6186. City Hall is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.