The Tyler Water Utilities' (TWU) water service line inventory map is now live, and the inventory has been submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). TWU partnered with KSA Engineers as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's national initiative to inventory the types of materials of all customers' water service lines in the City's distribution system by October 16, 2024. The inventory is an important step in protecting public health and minimizing the risk of lead entering drinking water from service pipes and fixtures in people’s homes.
Across Tyler, there are about 40,000 service lines. Of these 142 lines (0.37%) were identified as lead, and 3,843 lines (9.91%) were identified as galvanized steel that may require replacement if they have ever been downstream of lead pipes. 4,390 lines were not able to be identified and will require further investigation. Customers with lead service lines, galvanized steel lines, or service lines of unknown material will be notified by mail by Friday, November 15. Property owners will receive information about lead exposure, flushing pipes, and further lead testing.
During the inventory, TWU began replacing identified City-owned lead service lines and is developing a replacement plan that will be completed 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.
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.
Lead is NOT in our drinking water when it leaves treatment plants. The risk for lead to enter water comes from pipes and plumbing that are made from lead. The water's chemistry is carefully adjusted and monitored at the plant before it is distributed to prevent corrosion and minimize this risk. However, the best way to eliminate the risk of lead from entering drinking water is to eliminate lead pipes and plumbing.
The water service line inventory is part of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2021 Revised Lead and Copper Rule. Lead service lines were banned in 1986 because of Federal Safe Drinking Water Act amendments. On Oct. 8, the Biden-Harris Administration issued a final rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years.
