Lead and Copper

Lead and Copper

Lead and copper in drinking water is a topic of important national discussion.  Lead has seen an increased amount of attention and oversight due to adverse health effects and issues other US cities have had concerning lead in drinking water. Although City of Tipp City delivers customers lead-free water, lead can get into water as it sits or passes through internal plumbing systems or fixtures that contain lead. Older homes are more likely to have plumbing systems that contain lead.

One potential for lead contamination of the water occurs when the service line between the water main at the street and the home contains lead.  Lead may also be present in the solder used on copper pipes before 1987, and in older brass fixtures.  Until 2014, brass fixtures were allowed to contain up to 8% lead.  Historically, lead was commonly used for water service lines due to its durability and pliability.  While the City of Tipp City’s water chemistry minimizes the leaching of lead into the water, when a service line is disturbed due to work being completed on or around the line, lead can be released into the water.

What is a service line?  

 A service line is the piping that connects your interior plumbing to the City’s water main.  The responsibility of the service line is shared between the City and the property owner.  The property owner is responsible for the service line from the curb stop valve into the building, while the City is responsible for the service line from the water main to the curb stop. The curb stop is a shut off valve that is normally located outside of the home in the front yard. If any part of the service line contains lead or galvanized piping, it is considered to be a lead service line.

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In December of 2021 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new regulations concerning lead and copper within public drinking water systems.  These regulations require the Tipp City Water Department to inventory all water services by October of 2024 to identify any lead or galvanized services.

Once the inventory has been completed the City will be working on a plan to replace lead or galvanized service lines in the City.  The cost to replace the service line will be the responsibility of both the property owner and City based on responsibility of the line.

Do I have a lead service line?

Follow the steps HERE to see if you have a lead or galvanized water service line.  

For more Information on lead and copper, please refer to the following links;