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Lead Service Line Inventory
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The City of Perryville Department of Public Works has long been dedicated to providing high-quality drinking water that is safe, reliable, and cost-effective. To this end, the city performs tests on its water every day to monitor its quality.
Water issues in Flint, Michigan, and other US cities have been well-documented. In response, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently enacted new requirements aimed at protecting children and adults from the health effects from being exposed to lead in drinking water. Most Cities, including Perryville, never kept records of the material used in the construction of your private water line. Since this construction material is unknown, it is possible that it could contain lead, particularly if you own an older home or building. The Federal Government recently required all water systems, including those municipally-owned, to compile a system-wide inventory to identity water service lines, both publicly and privately-owned, that could possibly be a source of lead contamination. A significant part of this inventory process will help determine if the construction material of the portion of the water line that you own may contain lead. This portion is physically located between the City’s water meter and your home or building. The City has contracted with All Clear Pumping and Sewer to conduct the Lead Service Line Inventory and you should expect their contact in the near future.
Identifying Service Line Material
A video on identification of service line materials and picture identification guides are available at:
- YouTube Video (Identifying lead water service lines)
- Missouri Dept of Natural Resources (Do you have a lead service line)
- Missouri Dept of Natural Resources (How to identify your water service line material
If your service line is confirmed as being made of lead, is confirmed as Galvanized Requiring Replacement, or is classified as Unknown: Possibly Lead, please read the information below that explains the health effects of lead, how to reduce lead in your drinking water and available financial opportunities should you choose to replace your service line.
The City has contracted All Clear Pumping & Sewer to perform a city-wide service line inventory. All Clear Pumping & Sewer will use two methods to verify the presence of lead in your water lines:
- All Clear Pumping & Sewer can visually inspect your water line. If the water line is copper, All Clear will need to test for lead solder. Please note: this method is voluntary. All Clear will conduct visual inspections only if the homeowner allows.
- All Clear Pumping & Sewer will hydro-excavate both sides (water line coming from water main and water line feeding your home) of the water meter located on the premises.
If you have questions or would like to schedule a visual inspection, please contact All Clear Pumping & Sewer at 573-634-0165 or email MOLSLIproject@gmail.com.
Until the inventory is complete, the material used in the construction of your water line remains unknown and may possibly contain lead.
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. Lead in drinking water, although rarely a sole cause of lead poisoning, can significantly increase a person’s total lead exposure. Infants who drink baby formulas and concentrates that are mixed with water containing lead are particularly at risk. EPA estimates that drinking water can make up 20% or more of a person’s total exposure to lead. Boiling water does not reduce lead levels.
Lead in Drinking Water: How to Protect your Health
How to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water
Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
- Run your water to flush out lead. If a faucet has not been used for several hours, allow the water to run at the tap for 15 to 30 seconds or until it becomes cold and reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes lead-containing water from the pipes. The water you run from drinking water taps does not have to be wasted; you can use this water for cleaning purposes or watering plants. You may want to keep a container of drinking water in your refrigerator, so you don’t have to run water every time you need it.
- Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Do not drink or cook with 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 will not reduce the lead content.
- Look for alternative sources or treatment of water. If water testing has shown you have elevated lead in your drinking water, you may want to consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter. Read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead, with NSF/ANSI 53-2021 labeling, or contact the National Sanitation Foundation at 800-NSF-8010 (800-673-8010) for information on performance standards for water filters. If you choose to install a lead-removal filter, be sure to maintain and replace the filter device according to the manufacturer’s instructions to protect water quality.
Service Line Replacement Financial Opportunities
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included significant funding for identifying and replacing lead service lines. The department’s Financial Assistance Center is responsible for dispersing these funds through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program. To learn more about available LSLI funding opportunities (both loans and grants), visit Water Financial Assistance Opportunities. You may also contact the Financial Assistance Center at (573) 751-1192 or by email at fac@dnr.mo.gov.
If your service line is confirmed as being made of lead or designated as Galvanized Requiring Replacement we are required to pay for replacing the portion of the service line that is water system owned. However, we are not required to pay for the portion of the service line that is customer owned.
We are required to replace our portion of a lead service line when you notify us you are replacing your portion of the lead service line. Replacement of both portions of the service line should be performed at the same time to avoid additional water service disruption and disturbance of lead in service line materials.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure funding (low interest loans and grants) can be used to replace both the water system-owned and customer-owned portions of the service line. In order to apply and receive this funding, we must know the number of service lines that need to be replaced. This is another reason why it is important for customers to help identify their service line materials.