HOMEOWNER SURVEY

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has passed a new ruling concerning Lead and Copper in drinking water. https://epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/revised-lead-and-copper-rule

What is this all about?

Today, there’s growing awareness that some homes have lead in water pipes, fixtures, and plumbing. Lead presents health concerns for people of all ages, particularly pregnant women, infants and young children.

In an effort to “Get the Lead Out,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently passed legislation requiring public water suppliers to create an inventory of the material of every service line – or the pipe connecting the home or business to the water system – in their system and share that information with their customers. You can learn more here about the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revision: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/revised-lead-and-copper-rule and EPA’s recently finalized Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI):  https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/lead-and-copper-rule-improvements.

View the EPA video: https://youtu.be/6et78HZRquI

In response to EPA’s regulations and as part of our ongoing efforts to maintain and improve our water infrastructure, MPBMA is conducting a comprehensive inventory of our service lines. This inventory helps us identify the materials used in our water service lines, ensuring they meet safety standards and regulations. MPBMA’s service line inventory is available for public review in our office.

What does this mean to me?

We believe in keeping our customers informed every step of the way. If your property is directly affected, you should have received a notification with specific details and instructions in association with the initial service line inventory and PA DEP requirements.

If your side of the service line (see graphic below) was found to be lead or galvanized requiring replacement, MPBMA can help provide additional information and resources to help you understand your replacement options.
If the material of your service line is still unknown, you can help MPBMA identify the material of the pipe coming into your home. Check out the customer survey linked below for more information:

Download a printable copy of the survey: Homeowner Survey

Is my water safe?

Yes. Our water system meets all federal and state regulations for safe drinking water.
MPBMA has tested for lead for decades and has never exceeded action-levels for lead. The action level for lead is 15 parts per billion and 90% or more of the samples must not exceed this limit. For reference, one part per billion is equal to one drop of water in a 10,000-gallon swimming pool.

Lead comes from plumbing fixtures and pipes, not the water itself. Homes built before 1991 may contain lead-soldered pipes and fixtures, which can be a source of lead in drinking water. Source water is rarely a cause for elevated lead levels in drinking water. Lead is leached into the water from lead-containing pipes and plumbing fixtures through a process called corrosion. Corrosion is the dissolving or wearing away of metal caused by a chemical reaction between the metal and the water. Our utility adjusts the water’s chemistry at the water system entry point to minimize the possibility of lead dissolving into the water, but there are additional steps you can take at home.

1. Run the Tap Before Use – Lead levels are likely at their highest when water has been sitting in the pipe for several hours. Clear this water from your pipes by running the cold water for several minutes. This allows you to draw fresh water from the main.
2. Clean Aerators – Aerators are small attachments at the tips of faucets that regulate the flow of water. They can accumulate small particles of lead in their screens. It’s a good idea to remove your aerators at least monthly and clean them out.
3. Use Cold Water for Cooking and Drinking – Always cook and prepare baby formula with cold water, because hot water dissolves lead more quickly, resulting in higher levels in water.
4. Filter the Water – Many home water filters are effective at removing lead. If you purchase a filter, make sure it is certified for lead removal and that you maintain it properly. Find out more on filter certification at www.nsf.org.

How can I help?

Additionally, Mt. Penn Borough Municipal Authority has been working to remove galvanized with a lead goose neck service lines when we encounter them during projects to replace or repair water lines. MPBMA has replaced about 90% of its galvanized with a lead goose neck service lines over the past 30 years. We know there are hundreds of service lines still unknown, and this is where our customers come into play. We need your help to identify your service line material!

Water service lines include two sections: the water system-owned service line or the “public side” and the customer-owned service line or the “private-side”. The “public side” is the line from the water main in the street to the curb stop and is owned by MPBMA. The customer-owned service line or the “private side” is the line that goes from the curb stop to the house or business and is owned by the customer.

We are asking our water customers to tell us what material your water service line is (e.g., lead, copper, galvanized steel, or plastic). Identification is a simple process. Additional information is provided in the linked customer survey below, which can be returned to the MPBMA office or via email to [email protected].

Unsure of what you are seeing? We can make an appointment to inspect where your service line comes into your home and attempt to identify what it’s made of. It is not possible in every instance to identify service line materials in this way and even if we can identify your service line material, further investigation might be necessary.

Where can I learn more?

There are a number of resources available for more information about lead, water filtration systems and other related issues.

• MPBMA – No one knows more about your water supply than MPBMA. For more information, check this web site often.
• CDC – Lead in Drinking Water – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information on lead’s health effects and tips for protection from water and other common sources of exposure. www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead
• Drinktap.org – A public service of the American Water Works Association, drinktap.org was created to provide people information about a variety of water-related issues, from water quality to conservation.
• Epa.gov/lead – The federal agency responsible for the safety of America’s drinking water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hosts a comprehensive website that addresses all sources of lead in the home.
• Nsf.org – NSF International provides consumer information about water filter capabilities, including claims to reduce lead. The NSF can also be reached at 800-NSF-8010.