Water Service Line Inventory
Spring Valley Public Utility (SVPU) is taking measures to ensure the safety of its water supply by initiating a citywide inventory of all water service lines to identify any that may contain lead. We have also partnered with our engineering firm Bolton & Menk to assist us in managing this effort.
This comprehensive inventory of water service lines is required by the MN Dept of Health (MDH) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has set guidelines to assist utilities in conducting thorough inventories of water service lines. These guidelines emphasize the importance of identifying the material the service line is made of and creating an accurate record to manage and mitigate potential lead and copper exposure.
What You Should Know
Since the EPA strengthened its Safe Drinking Water Act standards related to lead and copper (Known as the Lead and Copper Rule Revision.) The revised requirements protect our public health to an even greater degree by reducing exposure to lead in drinking water. Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body. The drinking water provided to residents of Spring Valley does not normally contain lead. However, lead can enter the drinking water from corrosion (the wearing away) of plumbing materials that may contain lead. These materials include lead service pipes, lead-based materials used to join copper pipe such as solder, and brass components that may contain lead. Lead was commonly used in these materials before 1986 and was further reduced in brass plumbing fixtures in 2014
SVPU will be using different methods to inventory the water service lines such as historical records, service line replacements, physical inspections, and the help from residents via an online survey. SVPU will be asking customers to inventory their water service line to determine the pipe’s composition and see if it is lead, galvanized steel, non-lead, or unknown. Only the size and material of the service line will need to be identified we also ask that you include a picture of the water service. The service line is the water pipe that connects the water main in the street to the piping inside of your home or business.
Customers may also contact Spring Valley Utility to make an appointment for a utility employee to come out and inspect the pipe. This inventory will need to be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health and the EPA. After submission, property owners will be able to access the inventory to find out what material their service line is.
Lead Service Line Replacement Plan.
After the completion of the inventory, it is required by the EPA to begin removing all lead and galvanized services. Keep in mind there should only be a small number of water services that will be affected if any. The majority of services in town should not need to be replaced. Spring Valley Public Utilities will be in contact with any affected homeowners and will develop a lead service line replacement plan that removes and replaces their lead or galvanized service lines.
If your water service is identified as needing replacement the utility will work with customers to remove and replace the service. The replacement may be done individually or in conjunction with a reconstruction project if one is scheduled. Keep in mind the service line from the water main to the curb-stop located in the boulevard is owned by the utility. The portion of water service line from the curb-stop to inside your home is the property owner’s responsibility to replace. The Utility will work with individual customers on replacing their affected water line. There may also be grant money available to cover some of the cost of the repairs.
Additional Measures
The Utility also routinely samples for lead and copper across the city as well as other potential contaminants. Results are located in the yearly Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
Additional steps you can take to reduce lead:
- Run your water to flush out lead. If water has not been used for several hours, run water for at least 30-60 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking. Note: You may want to capture the initial running water for uses other than drinking or cooking, such as for watering plants.
- Regularly clean faucet aerators (screens) to remove particulate matter that may contain lead.
- Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Lead dissolves more easily into hot water.
- Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead, it will actually increase the concentration.
- Use a water filter that is approved to remove lead from drinking water, be sure the filter is approved to remove lead.
- Identify if your plumbing fixtures contain lead (replace if necessary). Brass faucets, fittings, and valves including those advertised as “lead free,” may contribute lead to drinking water. The law currently allows end-use fixtures, such as faucets, with wetted surfaces containing a maximum weighted average of 0.25% lead to be labeled as “lead-free.” Note: Prior to January 4, 2014, fixtures could contain up to 8% lead and be labeled as “lead-free.”
To schedule an appointment contact:
Spring Valley Public Utility
104 South Section Ave.
Spring valley Mn 55975
507-346-7622
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