EPA Lead Service Line Inventory

The U.S. EPA’s revised Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) of 2021 strengthened protections by requiring water systems to identify and replace lead service lines, improve testing at schools and childcare facilities, and provide better communication about lead risks to the public. 

An initial inventory of public and private service line materials was completed in October 2024, but our efforts to refine and improve this inventory will continue for years to come in compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) approved by EPA October 2024. This will involve a respectable request for some of our customers to assist in identifying lead pipes on their private property.

Lead and lead-containing materials were permitted in municipal and household plumbing until 1986. As a result, homes or businesses built before March 1987 may have lead service lines or plumbing, which could allow small amounts of lead from pipes or solder to dissolve into the water. We need your help to identify and cooperate with us to eliminate any remaining lead.

Our Initial Service Line Inventory

To identify lead in every water system nationwide, the EPA’s revised Lead and Copper Rule introduced a new requirement for all public water systems to develop an “initial inventory” of every water service line and connection by completing a records review. Town engineers and our utilities services team are compiling lists of homes, businesses, and other structures where water supply lines are of unknown material. Lead service lines were banned for use in 1987 and any structures built after 1988 have been removed from the list. If our utilities team repaired or replaced a service connection at a location, that location too has been removed from the list. We completed this portion of the requirement in October 2024. 

Owners of structures remaining on the list will receive notifications that their water service lines are of an “unknown material” and that Town employees or contractors will be inspecting the water connections in order to determine whether lead or galvanized steel previously connected to lead are present. Prior to inspectors visiting a property, owners can check their service line and notify the Town, eliminating the need for an employee or contractor to come onto the property.

A "service line" refers to the underground pipe that delivers water from the main to a home or business. Each service line connects the water main to the customer’s property, and the interior plumbing, and may be made of various materials such as lead, copper, iron, brass, or plastic.

We are responsible for maintaining our water main, the connections between the main and the water meter, and the water meter itself. These parts of the water service line are called the public side of the water service connection. Our customers are responsible for the portion of the water service line running from the water meter to their home or business, and their internal plumbing. There should be a cut off valve just inside your home, crawl space or basement.  

Why is a Service Line Inventory Important?

The required lead service line inventory is a systematic approach mandated by regulations that enables municipalities and water utilities to locate, identify, document, and map the presence of lead service lines and lead containing pipe materials in both the public side and the private side of the water service that bring water from the water main into their home, business, or onto private property. 

By creating a comprehensive assessment of the water service line materials, utilities can pinpoint which properties are at risk due to lead service lines, lead solder, or lead-containing fittings and fixtures, ensuring that no potential source of lead is overlooked. This inventory allows for the prioritization of areas most in need of remediation, enabling targeted replacement efforts to protect every customer and vulnerable communities. 

Additionally, the inventory aids in regulatory compliance, helping utilities meet federal and state requirements aimed at reducing lead exposure in drinking water, by eliminating all lead and lead containing water service line pipes. It also fosters public awareness by informing residents about potential lead risks in their water supply, encouraging proactive measures such as sampling, testing, and line replacement. The collected and shared data serves as a valuable resource for decision-making, infrastructure planning, and funding requests, ultimately supporting long-term improvements. 

Furthermore, establishing an inventory facilitates ongoing monitoring, making it easier to track progress in lead remediation efforts and evaluate the effectiveness of public health interventions. Overall, the lead service line inventory is a crucial tool in identifying and addressing lead in plumbing systems, promoting safer drinking water and protecting public health.

How can property owners help? 

If your property was built in 1988 or later, you don’t need to do anything. Your property does not have lead or galvanized steel service lines. If your property is older than 1988, and the Town has not repaired or replaced your service line, you will be notified by mail that your service line is of “unknown material” and requires inspection. You can wait for the Town to inspect your lines, or you can take the following steps to determine the makeup of your service line: 

Locate your drinking water line. If you have easy access to the basement/crawl space, look for a pipe that enters the house through an outside wall or dig near your shutoff valve outside - this is your water line!

Tap your line to determine if it is plastic or metal. If it is plastic, STOP and report that your service line is plastic.

Tap your line to determine if it is plastic or metal. If the magnet sticks to the pipe it is galvanized iron or steel. STOP and report that your service line is galvanized/steel.

Scratch the pipe with a penny. 

• If the surface does not scratch easily, has a copper color, and is not magnetic, your pipe is made of copper. Report to the Town that your service line is copper.
• If the pipe scratches easily and turns a shiny silver color, your pipe is lead. Report to the Town that your service line is 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 worsen existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these negative health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney, or nervous system problems. See Steps You Can Take To Reduce Lead In Drinking Water for more information. 

Contact Ron Istre, Utilities Supervisor at 910-692-1983 or utilities@southernpines.net with any questions or needs related to the survey, water quality testing, or our water system in general.