Skip to main content

Lead Service Line Inventory

Project Overview

The Union Public Utility District is dedicated to delivering safe drinking water to all customers in accordance with Federal and State regulations. The State Water Resource Control Board, along with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), enforces the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). Recently, the US EPA updated the LCR through the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) and intends to make further changes by October 2024. To ensure that water systems are minimizing lead exposure for customers, the US EPA requires all major public water suppliers to conduct a Lead Service Line Inventory (LSL Inventory). The goal of this inventory is to identify any lead pipes in both the public and private portions of the water distribution system. Completion and submission of this inventory are mandatory by October 16, 2024.

UPUD is actively working towards meeting the October 2024 deadline and will provide regular updates on this project webpage.

A diagram showing the division of customer and system-owned water service lines with property lines, public space, and a meter box.

Project Details

To determine the material of the water service line, UPUD crew members may perform the following: 

  • Use hand tools to excavate the area in and around the water meter box.
  • Perform scratch tests on the pipe to determine the pipe material.
  • Document pipe material with photos.
  • Record pipe material at the water meter box as well as the nearest spigot or hose bib. 

UPUD crew members will be working mostly in the area of the water meter box and the closest water spigot after the meter box. They will not need access to the inside of your home. 

What is a Water Service Line? 

The water service line is the pipe infrastructure that supplies water from the main to the customer's home or commercial structure. This line begins at the main connection and connects to the building inlet. UPUD operates and maintains the pipe from the main up to and including the water meter. The customer's responsibility begins after the water meter and all the pipe downstream going towards the home or building. These water service lines can be made up of several materials such as lead, galvanized steel, copper, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Project Timeline

UPUD will begin its review and planning stages of the LSL Inventory project in July 2024, and will continue until October 2024.

Additional Resources

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Revised Lead and Copper Rule
www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/revised-lead-and-copper-rule

State Water Resource Control Board Lead and Copper Rule for Drinking Water
www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/leadandcopperrule.html

Basic Information from the Environmental Protection Agency about lead in drinking water
www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water