Notification of Lead Status Unknown (Unknown) Service Line

Dear Consumer:

The City of Oakwood is the public water system (PWS) responsible for providing drinking water to this location. The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) now requires PWS entities to notify water consumers when it is not known what material composes the water service lines transporting water from the city-owned water mains into residential homes. This is a new requirement, seeking to identify if the service line material is lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or a non-lead service line. In most cases, we presently have no documented evidence supporting the material classification, which is why we refer to many lines as “Lead Status Unknown” service lines. It is worth emphasizing that regardless of service line materials, Oakwood’s water system has always been operated and maintained in full compliance with EPA requirements.

The EPA believes there is no safe level of lead in drinking water due to the health risks lead poses. (See the links below regarding childhood lead poisoning.) The city of Oakwood will provide you with information regarding opportunities to determine the material of your service line in the near future. You will be notified as they become available.

This notification is being sent because your home or building has a Lead Status Unknown service line. This means that your service line material is unknown and may be lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or a non-lead material. A service line is a pipe that connects the water main to the building.

What Does This Mean?

Under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires us to notify water consumers who are served by a lead status unknown service line. A lead status unknown service line is where the service line material is not known to be lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or a non-lead service line, and there is no documented evidence supporting the material classification.

What are the Health Effects of Lead?

There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups, especially pregnant people, infants (both formula-fed and breastfed), and young children. Some of the health effects to infants and children include decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can also result in new or worsened learning and behavior problems. The children of persons who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy may be at increased risk of these harmful health effects. Adults have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney or nervous system problems. Contact your health care provider for more information about your risks.

What Can I Do to Reduce Exposure to Lead if Found in My Drinking Water?

• Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
• Flush your tap if it has been unused for 6 or more hours. Lead levels increase over time as water sits in lead-containing plumbing materials. Regular water usage in your home or building can reduce lead levels in drinking water. When water has not been used for 6 hours or more, homes and buildings served by lead or a galvanized requiring replacement service lines should be flushed until you note a temperature change, then flush for one more minute.