TYLER, Texas — The Tyler Water Utilities has released its water service line inventory map after gathering an inventory of what materials make up the city's service lines.
City of Tyler officials announced on Tuesday that the results of the inventory of the types of materials of all customers' water service lines were submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The city said this is an important step to protect public health and minimize the risk of lead entering the drinking water from service pipes and fixtures.
Out of the roughly 40,000 service lines, 142 lines (0.37%) were identified as lead, and 3,843 lines (9.91%) were identified as galvanized steel that could need replacement if they have ever been downstream of lead pipes. A total of 4,390 lines could not be identified and will require further investigation, the city said.
Customers who have lead service lines, galvanized steel lines, or service lines made of unknown material will be made aware by Nov. 15 via mail. The property owners will receive information about lead exposure, flushing pipes and further lead testing.
As TWU completed the inventory, crews began replacing city-owned lead service lines and TWU is developing a replacement plan set to be complete by 2037.
"The city will provide notice prior to replacing the City-owned portion of the service line and offer to replace the customer's portion of the service line at the homeowner's cost, if lead or galvanized requiring replacement," the news release said. "A customer's water service line connects the water meter to their house or business, and it is their responsibility to maintain or replace it."
The city of Tyler emphasized that there is not lead in the drinking water when it leaves the treatment plant. The risk of lead entering water comes from pipes plumbing that are made from lead. The best way to protect against lead in drinking water is to eliminate lead pipes and plumbing.
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