Homeowners on community water systems should be aware that their water operators have begun reaching out to them for information. Why? Because the materials used in service lines entering residential dwellings and non-residential buildings must now be documented by the operators. These new requirements are part of revisions made to the Lead and Copper Rule by the Environmental Protection Agency commonly known as the EPA. The new rules, which do not apply to residents who have their own private wells, mandate that water system operators not only in Putnam County, but also those nationwide, conduct inventories that includes both operator-owned and customer-owned lines. Residents may be asked to check their lines themselves and report back to their operators, or the operator may set up an appointment with the resident to visit and inspect the line themselves.    

Operators and the New York State Department of Health have begun to provide information and instructions on identifying the type of material used for the service line, and it is not as difficult as one might think. In fact, the NYS health department has posted a quick, simple video online to ease identification for homeowners. It runs less than three minutes and shows how to use commonly available items to easily identify the composition of service lines. It is available on their website and on YouTube:  https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/lead/ or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcO5FCE9Vfw 

Whether operators decide to conduct surveys or schedule inspections documenting the materials is the purpose of the inventory. This may be done with photo verification and if necessary, assistance by water operator personnel. 

This 2021 revision to the Lead and Copper Rule represents the first major update to the original rule established in 1991 under the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect the public from lead levels in drinking water. The inventory covers non-potable water service lines, service lines to vacant or abandoned buildings, and inside properties, such as office complexes, schools and shopping plazas. It must be completed by October 2024. Homeowner assistance is necessary to help water operators complete this comprehensive inventory and help identify problems. Then plans to correct these areas of concern can be developed  No amount of lead is safe and this inventory helps better public health. 

For more information:  

• The New Lead and Copper Rule (2021 revisions)
  https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/documents/lcr_overview_fact_sheet_12-21-2020_final.pdf
• Fact Sheet for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory (for broad overview of what is required of water operators)
  https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-06/EPA-Factsheet-Combined-06072023%20508-final.pdf