LANCASTER, PA — The City of Lancaster, PA, has initiated a citywide program aimed at identifying and addressing the presence of lead and galvanized water service lines in its water distribution system. This initiative is in compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revision, which mandates the identification of all lead service lines by October 2024.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, the City will concentrate on determining the types of service line materials used by each water customer, as part of routine maintenance and system upgrades. Service lines, which connect homes or buildings to water mains, can be composed of various materials, including lead, copper, galvanized metal, or plastic.
Despite substantial progress in identifying and replacing hundreds of lead service lines during regular maintenance, thousands of lines’ composition remains unknown. The City of Lancaster Bureau of Water serves over 120,000 people in the City and surrounding metropolitan area, with approximately 50,000 customer accounts.
Water customers have been requested to verify the material of their water service line promptly. Customers have recently received instructions on how to verify and report their water service line material via a letter or email, based on their preferred billing method. Over 2,000 water customers have already taken steps to verify their service line material. Customers with confirmed lead or galvanized service lines will receive additional follow-up instructions.
The City of Lancaster is committed to replacing identified lead or galvanized service lines, adhering strictly to state regulatory requirements. This proactive approach is designed to protect the community’s water infrastructure and comply with federal water quality guidelines.
Steve Campbell, Director of Public Works, emphasized the City’s commitment, stating, “We recognize the importance of water safety, and we are dedicated to ensuring that our residents have access to clean and reliable water. We appreciate the cooperation of our water customers in verifying their service line materials, as it is a crucial step in meeting regulatory standards and removing lead pipes from our water distribution infrastructure.”
Residents are urged to verify their service line materials without delay. For more information, visit the City of Lancaster website.
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