Lead Service Lines
Lead Service Lines
To comply with the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) and Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), the City of Devils Lake has been developing, implementing and maintaining a Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) to identify the material of all water service lines included in the water distribution network. The inventory will be used to help with the planning of future replacement procedures if/when additional requirements are provided by the EPA. At this time, no lead service line replacement is scheduled outside of currently planned water main replacement projects and this inventory is specifically for identification purposes at this time. The City is required to submit its LSLI by October 16th, 2024. For more information regarding the EPA rules, click the links below.
Water Service Line Material Identification
As part of the LSLI, City staff have been using construction records, meter records and visual inspections to help identify the material of as many water service lines as they can within the City. Generally the identified water service lines were part of a City water main replacement project, meter repair or new construction. To continue identifying the remaining water service lines, the City is asking that residents either self-report their water service line material based on construction timeframe, plumbing records or visual inspection OR contact the City to allow City staff to complete an in-person visual inspection.
To determine if your home or business has a water service line that has been initially identified, click on the link below to see a map of all homes and businesses in Devils Lake with identified water service lines. If your house or business is marked UNKNOWN on the map, please identify and report your water service line material to the City by completing the steps below.
City of Devils Lake - Lead Service Line Map
How to Identify Your Water Service Line Material
I.
II. Using the water service line material identification cheat sheet, a strong magnet and a key/coin, visually identify the material of your water service line.
Water Service Line Material Identification Cheat Sheet
i. If the service line is white & rigid and clamped to the water supply line, it is Plastic or PVC.
ii. If the service line is black & semi-rigid and clamped to the water supply line, it is Poly.
iii. If a strong magnet sticks to the service line, it is Galvanized.
iv. If you scratch the pipe with a key/coin and it turns a shiny brownish-orange color, it is Copper.
v. If you scratch the pipe with a key/coin and it turns a shiny silver color, it is Lead.
III. If you are unsure or unable to check your water service line material, call (701) 662-7600 Ext.1 or (701) 662-7600 Ext. 2 to schedule an appointment for City staff to complete the inspection.
IV. If you are able to identify your water service line material, follow the ‘Report your Water Service Line Material’ steps.
EPA Quick Check for Lead Guide
How to Report Your Water Service Line Material
If you have identified your water service line material, report your information to the City by completing one of the following:
Lead Service Line Information
It’s estimated that up to 10 million lead service lines exist in the United States. Although the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) banned the use of lead service lines in 1986, they were commonly connected to homes before this ban went into place. If you live in an older home or building, it’s important to learn if your home is connected to one of these pipes. The federal Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act went into effect in January 2014. The act has reduced the amount of lead content in water systems and plumbing products by changing the definition of lead free in the Safe Water Drinking Act from not more than 8 percent lead content to not more than a weighted average of 0.25 percent lead with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and plumbing fixtures. The SDWA prohibits the use of these products in the installation or repair of any public water system or facility providing water for human consumption if they do not meet the lead-free requirement.
Water Service Line Responsibility
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 exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems. The City's drinking water is currently treated to provide a protective layer around existing services lines to prevent pipe corrosion and the subsequent “leaching” of lead into the water.
The goal of this inventory is to find out how many lead water service lines exist within the City of Devils Lake, and then use that to plan how to replace those lines.
Additional Resources
Category: Engineering, Water Sewer