Lead Service Line Inventory Program

The State of Arkansas has started a multi-year program to inventory and replace parts of the Public Water System water distribution systems that are made from lead with new water service pipelines. Over the coming years, crews contracted by the Arkansas Departments of Agriculture and Health and Natural Resources Division will work throughout communities to identify all lead-containing services and replace them.

While the Public Water System treat water to prevent the corrosion of lead services into the water supply and regularly tests their water to ensure your water meets or exceeds all Environmental Protection standards, the Public Water System is replacing services made from lead to ensure the best possible drinking water for everyone in our community using currently recommended materials.

This work requires Arkansas Public Water System and communities to begin identifying lead service lines, notifying residents and creating a plan to replace them.

This program will combine the efforts of the Public Water Systems, Arkansas Departments of Agriculture and Health, Arkansas Departments of Agriculture Natural Resources Division, and outside contractors.

Why Some Water Service Lines Are Made from Lead

For some structures, water service lines (the pipes carrying water from the Public Water System water main to a structure) are made from lead. This was a commonly used material for water service lines before the 1950s, and it was used in some plumbing parts up until the Clean Water Act was passed in 1986 regulating lead in water.

The Public Water System Lead Service Line Replacement Program will replace:

• Lead water service lines on PWSPWS-owned property (for example, in the parkway and under streets)
• Lead water service lines on private property, with property owner approval, at no cost to the property owner (for example, from the connection at the water meter to the water service shutoff in the parkway)

The illustration below shows a water service line from its connection to your home all the way to the Public Water System water main. You can see the portion of the water service line that is on the homeowner's property and the portion that is on Public Water System property.

How Do I Know If My Service Contains Lead?

The Public Water System 's is in process of a comprehensive inventory to determine the materials used for every water service in the community. If your property contains a water service line made from lead, the Public Water System will contact you about replacement of your water service line.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lead

What is lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring metal that is harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Lead can be found in air, soil, dust, food, and water.

How can I be exposed to lead?

The most common source of lead exposure is from paint in homes and buildings built before 1978. Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust are the main sources of exposure to lead in American youth. Lead-based paints were banned for use in housing in 1978. Although the main sources of exposure to lead are ingesting paint chips and inhaling dust, lead also can be found in some household plumbing materials and some water service lines. The Environmental Protection Agency states that lead pipes are more likely to be found in older homes built before Congress enacted lead-reduction requirements as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act amendments in 1986. As a result, homes built in or after 1986 are far less likely to have lead pipes.

Does my Public Water System's water have lead in it?

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA has regulations that limit the amount of specific contaminants in water provided by public water systems. As a result, the public water system regularly tests its water for lead, bacteria, and other regulated contaminants.

How do I find more information?

Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline 800-426-4791 or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.