Water Service Line Inventory

What is a service line inventory?

A service line inventory is an EPA-mandated requirement for every water system to compile a list of all service line materials going from the water main into the building, as part of EPA’s new Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). Each community is responsible for collecting this data by way of historical record analysis and visual inspection of the service line. The initial service line inventory is required to be submitted to EPA by October 2024.

This federal requirement is aimed at enhancing the safety and reliability of our water infrastructure. It is part of our commitment to ensuring the highest standards in water quality and compliance with national regulations.

How do I find my service line?

Your service line is typically located near your water main shut-off valve. This is often found in your basement, crawl space, or garage.

• If your meter is in the house, the service line will directly connect to the meter before being distributed through your home.

• If your meter is in a meter pit in your yard, the City-owned side of the service line will connect from the watermain to your meter and the resident-owned side of the service line will connect from the meter to your home.

How do I determine my service line material type?

There are various at home tests you can complete to assist with determining your material type. Your service line is likely made of either copper, galvanized steel, plastic, or lead. Try to locate where your service line comes into your house/business and perform these simple tests to determine your service line material.

• Plastic pipes are often black or blue and easily recognizable.

• If a magnet sticks to the pipe, it is likely galvanized steel as lead and copper are not magnetic.

• Another option is to complete a “scratch test” with a screwdriver and create a small scratch on the service line. If the scratch is shiny and copper in color (like a new penny, orange in color), your line is made of copper.

• If it scratches easily and the scratch is shiny and silver, your line is made of lead.

Follow the steps HERE to determine your water service line material.

Why was a survey sent to me?

You were sent a survey to help verify the material type of the service line coming into the basement or crawl space of your home or business so that the water system can compile an inventory of all service line materials within the distribution community.

Why did I not receive a survey in the mail?

There are a couple factors that played into this decision.

1. Through the City’s multi-year water meter replacement project, Public Works technicians have been noting these service line materials to add to our service line inventory.

2. Some areas of Vandalia were built after the Ohio lead service line ban (late 1988), so their water service lines are non-lead.

3. The City is only sending out an initial round of mailed surveys to several plats (subdivisions) to see how the survey is received and responded to be fiscal sustainable before spending larger amounts of taxpayers’ money to collect this data.

All City of Vandalia residents and business owners who are charged for water use on their Vandalia utility bill received a bill insert letter in August with the survey information.

August 2024 Bill Insert

Background: 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 the City of Vandalia 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. Although Ohio adopted a lead service line ban in late 1988, lead may also be present in the solder used on copper pipes before 1998, 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 Vandalia’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.