TYLER, Texas — Tyler Water Utilities is asking for the public's help to determine what materials are used in all customers' water service lines in the city's distribution system.
The city of Tyler has partnered with KSA Engineers to take the inventory with a deadline of Oct. 16, 2024. TWU customers are being asked to complete a survey to identify the water service line material on their property. The city said this plan is a part of an effort to minimize the risk of lead entering drinking water from service pipes and fixtures in people's homes.
This inventory is part of the Environmental Protection Agency's 2021 Revised Lead and Copper Rule.
A customer's water service line connects the water meter to their house or business. The property owner is responsible for maintaining or replacing this line, which will either be PVC, copper, galvanized steel or lead.
Lead service lines were banned 1986 because of Federal Safe Drinking Water Act amendments. So if a home or business was built in 1989 or later, that property likely does not have a lead line, the city explained.
City officials reiterated lead is not in the drinking water when it leaves city treatment plants. The risk for lead coming into water originates from pipes and plumbing made from lead. The best way to eliminate any risk is by taking out lead pipes and plumbing.
"We will help property owners identify water service line material that needs to be replaced," Utilities Director Kate Dietz said. "The Environmental Protection Agency recommends replacement of all lines made of lead or galvanized steel pipe installed downstream of lead. Identifying the number and location of these service lines in the community is an important step to implement a future water service line replacement program."
Using the inventory, water utility staff will document the types of service line materials in the city. Before the EPA's initiative, TWU replaced all known city-owned lead service lines, and crews expect to find more city-owned lead service lines and work to replace any remaining lead lines.
TWU customers can respond to survey in the following ways:
- Online by clicking here.
- Mail the completed survey with their monthly water bill or scan the QR code provided in the bill and complete it online
- Complete the survey in person at the Water Business Office, 511 W. Locust St.
- Drop off a completed survey in the TWU drop box in the Brookshire's parking lot at 110 Rice Road or the Water Business Office. A video for instructions is available on YouTube.
People who can't easily access their service lines or identify the material should mark "unknown" on the survey. TWU crews will assess the service line later in the process.
When water customers complete the survey, the city will be able to provide accurate data to the EPA. Water providers, like the city of Tyler, who fulfill the inventory requirements, may be eligible for federal funding to help private property owners with replacing lead and galvanized service connections, officials said.
"We encourage all property owners to participate in this initiative," Dietz said. "We will be available for our customers throughout this process."
Customers can contact Tyler Water Utilities by calling (903) 531-1238 with any questions or concerns about the survey. To learn more about this initiative and Tyler water quality, visit cityoftyler.org.