Lead pipe under a sink. Photo/Shutterstock.
The Fayette County Water System has completed its inventory of lead utilities within the system, meeting Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
“Protecting public health is our top priority,” said Vanessa Tigert, FCWS director. “We are pleased to announce the completion of the inventory of leading service lines. This is a critical step in ensuring the safety of our drinking water.”
What you need to know:
Lead-Free at the Source: The water provided by FCWS is lead-free when it leaves the system's treatment facilities. Additionally, a corrosion inhibitor is added in the systems to prevent corrosion in the distribution system.
Inventory Completed: FCWS has completed an inventory of over 32,000 service lines under the 2022 Revised Lead and Copper Rule. This included a review of construction documents, field investigations and the use of approved identification methods.
No Lead Pipes: Based on the data collected, FCWS has no lead pipes in the distribution system.
Next steps: FCWS is currently developing a schedule for lead testing in schools and daycare centers starting in 2025.
The Fayette County Water System remains committed to providing safe, high-quality drinking water to our customers. If you have any questions, please contact Water customer service at [email protected].
Lead Service Line Inventory FAQs
Is lead in my water?
Lead does not occur naturally in water. Lead in water is caused by corrosion of older pipes, plumbing fixtures and faucets. The risk to homes built after 1978 is very low, but lead pipes, solder, brass fixtures and lead faucets were not banned nationwide until 1986. Lead pipes were banned by Congress in 1986 as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The water provided by the Fayette County Water System (FCWS) is lead-free when it leaves our wastewater treatment plants, and our water mains (the pipes that distribute water throughout the community) are not made of lead. FCWS manages water quality at each treatment plant to prevent corrosion throughout the system.
Does the Fayette County Water System test for lead in water?
We have been testing our water for lead as needed since 1992 and have found no violations. The water that leaves our plants is lead-free. A corrosion inhibitor called polyphosphate is added to the water to prevent pipe corrosion in the distribution system and to form a protective layer on the inside of the pipes. We comply with all requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule and report our results annually in our Water Quality Report.
What is the Lead and Copper Rule?
In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a regulation to control lead and copper in drinking water. Revisions to the rule in 2021 require water utilities to submit an inventory of all utilities, both water utility-owned (public) and customer-owned (private), by October 16, 2024. For more information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/lead-and-copper-rule.
What is Lead Service Line Inventory?
FCWS conducts household surveys and, in some cases, utility excavations to confirm the presence or absence of lead. Most of the development in Fayette County occurred after 1986. FCWS conducted a field survey of homes built before 1986 to determine whether utility lines contained lead.
How do you determine that the service line is not managerial?
FCWS has completed an inventory of all water service lines connected to its system in accordance with the new EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The use of lead pipes was banned in 1986. FCWS used tax records to determine the year homes were built before 1990. For these homes and all unknown locations, Department of Environmental Protection-approved historical data and field identification methods are used to confirm lead-free pipes.
If my service connection is not wired, does that mean I don't have it at home?
We cannot confirm the material of the interior plumbing in the home. Customers can check inner tubes using a penny (or key) and a magnet. Look for the water line where it enters the building through a basement wall or crawl space. Scratch the pipe. If it is made of lead, it will shine bright silver when scratched and a magnet will not stick to it.
What are service lines and who owns them?
The water supply line is the pipe that connects a home or other building to FCWS's own water distribution system. The water pipes feed individual supply lines that lead to a meter well where the water meter is housed underground. The supply line then runs from the meter shaft to the building and connects to the indoor plumbing. In Fayette County, service lines are typically made of PVC or other types of plastic, copper, and sometimes galvanized steel.
Fayette County Water System owns the portion of the supply line that runs from the water main (large underground pipe on the street) to the water meter. The part of the supply line that runs from the meter to a house/building is the customer's private property. FCWS has no control over the variety of materials used in the plumbing components of your home.
How do I know if my private service connection is managed?
Based on the age of our distribution system and our records, we know that we do not need to replace lead pipes in our public distribution system. We examined over 32,000 private utility lines to determine pipe material based on historical records and field testing. If you have any questions, please email Water customer service at [email protected].
What health concerns are there?
Exposure to lead in drinking water can have serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children may experience a decline in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can cause new learning and behavioral problems or worsen existing learning and behavioral problems. The children of women who were exposed to lead before or during pregnancy may be at increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults may be at increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.
Is my water drinkable?
Your water is tested hourly by state-certified water professionals before it is delivered to your home to ensure it meets safe drinking standards. FCWS meets all regulatory requirements. Our current and historical water quality reports are available on our website at https://fayettecountyga.gov/water/consumer-confidence-report.
What are the next steps?
The Fayette County Water System will establish a schedule for lead testing in schools and day care centers beginning in 2025 and make the results available.
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