Water Service Line Inventory Project
In 2021 US EPA published revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule that are intended to better protect children and communities from lead exposure risks and support efforts to remove lead from drinking water. The revisions require all Public Water Systems to complete an inventory of all service lines connected to their distribution system and develop a Lead Service Line Replacement Plan. The inventory must include the pipe material and other information for both the system-owned and customer-owned portions of the service line between the water main and a structure. The Inventory and Replacement Plan must be submitted by October 16, 2024.
In working toward a lead-free water distribution system for its customers, the Erving Water Department applied for and received Financial Assistance under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) to complete the water service line inventory and lead service line replacement plan. Activities planned for the project include:
- Reviewing existing records that may contain information on the material of each service line
- Distributing a survey with instructions so customers may provide information or photos of their service line to help identify the pipe material
- Conducting service line inspections where Water Department staff and/or a contractor will inspection the service line as it enters a customer’s building in person
- Conducting field investigation into lead service lines through vacuum excavation techniques
- Providing public education and notification materials to customers and the community regarding lead and development of the inventory and replacement plan
The Erving Water Department is committed to providing its customers with a safe and reliable source of drinking water and regularly conducts sampling for lead in accordance with state and federal requirements. Information regarding lead in drinking water is provided in the Water Department’s Annual Water Quality Report. The Department’s website will be updated regularly to include information on the new requirements under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, the status of funding under the DWSRF, and additional details on those activities listed above to develop the inventory.
If you would like to help the Erving Water Department develop their water service line inventory, please review the information provided on this website with instructions to locate your service line how to determine the material type of your service line, and then complete this customer survey. The survey includes an option to request a basement inspection by water system staff and/or their subcontractor.
Link: Erving Water Service Line Customer Survey
For more information on lead in drinking water please visit:
- MassDEP: https://www.mass.gov/lead-in-drinking-water
- US EPA: https://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead
- Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative: https://www.lslr-collaborative.org/
Please contact the Erving Water Department here with any questions or concerns: https://www.erving-ma.gov/home/webforms/contact-us-form
Thank you for your help in this important endeavor.