Information about Lead Service Lines (LSLs)
There is no level of lead that is considered safe. Lead can enter drinking water from a variety of plumbing materials. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes and brass or bronze faucets and fixtures. A service line is the pipe that connects the water main to the plumbing in a home or building. When any part of that pipe is made of lead, it is called a lead service line (LSL).
Lead service lines were installed primarily during the late 1800s through the 1940s. Knowing the locations of lead service lines is challenging for many communities due to poor recordkeeping and long histories of repairs. Given the public health risks, there is a need to identify lead service lines on both public and private property so that they can be removed.
Lead and Copper Rules:
In 1991, EPA established the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) to protect public health and reduce exposure to lead and copper in drinking water. Since then, the LCR has undergone various revisions. In order to better protect children and communities from the risks of lead exposure, get the lead out of our nation’s drinking water, and empower communities through information, EPA published the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. One requirement of this rule is for PWSs to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials by October 16, 2024 to submit to their state primacy agency.
Click HERE for a copy of the City of Schofield's Lead Service Line Inventory (Excel File)
Click HERE for a copy of the City of Schofield's Lead Service Line Inventory (Condensed PDF)
More information from the EPA on lead:
Health effects of lead :
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.
Steps you can take to reduce lead in drinking water.
- Use your filter properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit EPA’s website by clicking HERE
- Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water. - Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in pipes providing water to your home, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home.
- Learn what your service line material is. Contact us at 715-359-5230 / Lalves [at] cityofschofield.org (Lalves[at]cityofschofield[dot]org) or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials.
- Have your water tested. You may contact a certified laboratory to have your water tested for lead. A list of certified laboratories is available HERE
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Note, a water sample may not adequately capture or represent all sources of lead that may be present. For information on sources of lead that include service lines and interior plumbing, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#getinto.
If you are interested in identifying your service line material type, please call the City of Schofield at 715-359-5230. Additionally, you can self-identify by performing your own inspection Click HERE for detailed instructions.
The City of Schofield does not offer private residential water testing. However, if you wish to have your water tested, click on the Marathon County logo to visit the Marathon County Health & Human Services website where you can see options for having your water privately tested, along with pricing.
