Certain residents within the City of Oregon will be getting notices in regard to a requirement that we must fulfill for the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) by 2027. Please read the notice below:
Public Water Systems (PWS) across the United States are required by the EPA to provide notices to water customers where the material of their private service line (between the curb shutoff valve and the water meter) is unknown. The notices also inform customers on the danger of lead in old plumbing fixtures and piping within the house. The City is required to establish an inventory on all piping material from the public side up to the water meter in the house by 2027.
We should all be aware that lead is not in the water itself as it leaves the water treatment plant. Lead is found throughout this country in water pipes, connections and in fixtures produced and sold prior to 2014.
Responsible water systems, including Oregon, use an additive in the treatment process that coats the inside of our lines and fixtures to protect the water from leaching metals and end up in our drinking water. Oregon has been using a polyphosphate to successfully do this for many years. This additive ensures that our water is not corrosive and that any lead that might be in the consumer’s system or fixtures will remain separated from the water. Operators at the treatment plant also check the water for stability (or corrosiveness) at a minimum of twice weekly as an additional check.
All residents must be aware that water faucets or other fixtures purchased in this country up until 2014 frequently contained lead in their construction. Our additives protect our residents from that lead, but only if the fixtures are being used and water is routinely running through them in order for the coating to properly work.
If you receive a notice and have questions, please contact the Oregon Water Department, or send an email to waterservice@oregonohio.org.
** If you receive a letter and would like to assist the city in identifying the type of service line you have (galvanized pipe, lead pipe, copper pipe, etc.), please take a picture of your piping at the meter and email the picture, your address, and contact information, to us at waterservice@oregonohio.og.
You can also call the Water Department to set up an inspection to identify the material.
