Water Service Line Inventory

• Will this increase my taxes and water bill?

  Utilities are an enterprise fund. Your property and sales tax dollars are not used to operate Tyler Water Utilities. Instead, operations and capital improvements are funded through the water and sewer rate charged to you as a customer and reflected on your monthly bill.

• Is there somewhere I can see areas that are likely to have lead service lines?

  Please visit our interactive map.

• I rent. Will I or my landlord be notified about lead lines?

  In cases of rental property, the occupant will be notified if a water service line is identified as lead, galvanized steel requiring replacement or an unknown material. Both the renter and property owner will be contacted before any construction takes place. 

• When will customers be notified if a service line on either side of the meter is lead?

  You will be notified by mail that your service line is either unknown, lead or galvanized and requiring replacement by Nov. 15. Customers will receive information about lead exposure, flushing pipes and further lead testing. In cases of rental property, the occupant will be notified if a water service line is identified as lead, galvanized steel requiring replacement or an unknown material. Both the renter and property owner will be contacted before any construction takes place. 

• What happens if I have a lead service line?

  You will be notified by mail that your service line is either unknown, lead or galvanized and requiring replacement by Nov. 15. Customers will receive information about lead exposure, flushing pipes and further lead testing. In cases of rental property, the occupant will be notified if a water service line is identified as lead, galvanized steel requiring replacement or an unknown material. Both the renter and property owner will be contacted before any construction takes place. 

  Remember, there is minimal risk of lead exposure through drinking water because of how we treat our water to minimize corrosion.

• I can't afford to replace my pipes. What are you going to do? Are there any other financial resources available?

  Replacement of customer service lines is the responsibility of the property owner. However, 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 steel requiring replacement.
  

• When will you start replacing service lines?

  Once the inventory is complete, a lead service line replacement program will be developed. Our hope is to begin replacement projects in 2025, but that final determination is still under review.

• How long will it take TWU to replace all service lines?

  This will be dependent on how many service lines requiring replacement are found. Once the inventory is complete, a lead service line replacement program will be developed. Our hope is to begin replacement projects in 2025, but that final determination is still under review.

• Will I need a permit to replace my lines?

  Yes, you can request a permit online at eTRAKiT or contact our Permits office at (903) 531-1151 or PermitTechs@TylerTexas.com.

• Will the City help me pay to replace my lines?

  Replacement of customer service lines is the responsibility of the property owner. However, 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 steel.
  

• Are you working with Hospitals and Schools to replace lead lines?

  TWU is in contact with all schools, daycares, hospitals and medical facilities to ensure they are informed and can assess their service lines.

• What actions has the City taken to identify and replace lead lines before now?

  Prior to this initiative TWU removed all known City-owned public lead service lines. During the inventory, TWU began replacing identified City-owned lead service lines and is developing a replacement plan.

• Is the City aware of any city-owned lead service lines?

  Prior to this initiative TWU removed all known City-owned public lead service lines. During the inventory, TWU began replacing identified City-owned lead service lines and is developing a replacement plan.

• Will my water utility replace my lead service line?

  Replacement of customer service lines is the responsibility of the property owner. However, 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 steel requiring replacement.

  You can contact a licensed plumber for work on your service line, or to determine if you have lead in your private plumbing components.

• What if my service line is suspected to contain lead?

  Customers with lead service lines, galvanized steel lines, or service lines of unknown material will be notified by Friday, November 15. You can use the tips below to reduce your possible lead exposure.

  • Flush your plumbing before using the water for drinking and cooking. Running cold water from the tap for one to two minutes is sufficient. However, for known lead lines, run at high volume tap for five or more minutes. The routine of letting water run should be done each morning or if the water has not been used for six hours. To conserve water, fill up multiple containers after flushing the plumbing and store them in the fridge.
  • Only use cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby food and formula. If you need hot water, draw cold water from the tap after running it and then heat it up. Hot tap water can dissolve lead more easily and is likely to have higher lead levels. Furthermore, boiling water does not reduce or remove lead. Bathing and showering is safe for you and children, even if there is lead in the water.
  • Regularly clean your faucet's screen (also known as an aerator) once a month.
  • Consider using a water filter pitcher or home filtration system that is certified to remove lead. Look for products certified for removal of lead and follow any manufacturer's guidelines on installation and maintenance of the product. Devices that are not certified to remove lead will not work.

• In what year did the United States prohibit the use of lead lines in new constructions?

  Lead service lines were banned in 1986 because of Federal Safe Drinking Water Act amendments. If a home or business was built after 1989, the property is unlikely to have a lead service line.

• What materials can service lines be made of? How can I tell the difference between them?

  Service lines can be made of PVC, copper, galvanized or lead. If you dig about 18" away from your water box on both sides, down to the level of your water line, you can do a scratch test on the material with a coin.

  • PVC - A PVC pipe will be an obvious plastic material. You do not have to complete a scratch test on a PVC pipe.
  • COPPER - A copper pipe will be a shiny bronzy color when scratched.
  • GALVANIZED - A galvanized pipe will be a rusty color and when scratched it will look a dark silver color. Galvanized pipes are the only ones that are magnetic. 
  • LEAD - A lead line will be dull in color and when scratched it will be a shiny silver color.

• What part of the line is my responsibility and what parts are the City's responsibilities?

  The service lines are co-owned. The lines from the meter box to the house or business are the responsibility of the property owner. City of Tyler is responsible for all lines from the meter box to the water mains under the streets.

  

• What is a service line?

  A customer's water service line connects the water meter to their house or business and is their responsibility to maintain or replace.
  
  

• How do I know my water is safe to drink?

  TWU and its treatment and distribution is strictly regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). We send thousands of samples to qualified and certified third-party labs for testing each month from locations across the City. This testing is performed by the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) and findings are reported to the TCEQ. All of this is public information available on our website.
  
  TWU consistently exceeded safety standards set by TCEQ and the EPA. If the City were not meeting these standards, there are mandatory safeguards in place to notify you. These include RAVE Alerts, Newsletters, Press Releases and social media posts across many platforms.

• Will the city provide me with a filter?

  There is minimal risk of lead exposure through drinking water because of how we treat our water to minimize corrosion. However, once a lead line is replaced there is a higher risk of releasing lead particles into the water. For this reason, the City will provide you with a filter pitcher if a lead service line replacement is planned in the next 45-days or other disturbance occurs that may affect the potential for lead to enter your water service line per CFR 141.84.

• How often should I change or provide maintenance to my filters?

  When you purchase a filter check the instructions for information on when it will need to be replaced. Using a filter after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. More information on how to identify filters certified to reduce lead.

• What filters are best at protecting me?

  When selecting a filter, be sure to get one that is tested and certified by an independent third party. Be sure to read the manufacturer's directions to learn how to properly install and use your filter and when to replace it. More information on how to identify filters certified to reduce lead.

• Will a filter protect me from lead contamination? Where and when should I use a filter?

  Some filters can remove lead from drinking water. If you use a filter, be sure to get one that is tested and certified by an independent third party. Be sure to read the manufacturer's directions to learn how to properly install and use your filter and when to replace it. More information on how to identify filters certified to reduce lead. 

• If I suspect I have lead lines, what should I do?

  • Flush your plumbing before using the water for drinking and cooking. Running cold water from the tap for one to two minutes is sufficient. However, for known lead lines, run at high volume tap for five or more minutes. The routine of letting water run should be done each morning or if the water has not been used for six hours. To conserve water, fill up multiple containers after flushing the plumbing and store them in the fridge.
  • Only use cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby food and formula. If you need hot water, draw cold water from the tap after running it and then heat it up. Hot tap water can dissolve lead more easily and is likely to have higher lead levels. Furthermore, boiling water does not reduce or remove lead. Bathing and showering is safe for you and children, even if there is lead in the water.
  • Regularly clean your faucet's screen (also known as an aerator) once a month.
  • Consider using a water filter pitcher or home filtration system that is certified to remove lead. Look for products certified for removal of lead and follow any manufacturer's guidelines on installation and maintenance of the product. Devices that are not certified to remove lead will not work.

• Will the City provide water sampling kits?

  Yes, if requested, you will be provided with a kit with sampling bottle and instructions on how to conduct an accurate sample. TWU will pick up the sample and send it to a local laboratory for testing.

• How many cases of elevated blood lead levels are in Tyler?

  We are not aware of any cases at this time. To learn more about lead contamination and the health effects, please visit Health Effects of Lead Exposure | Lead | CDC. If you suspect you or a family member has lead poisoning, please contact your family doctor to be tested.

• How often does the City of Tyler test for lead in water? Where do you test?

  Tyler Water Utilities routinely tests water at dozens of points throughout the City coordinated by TWU staff according to our Lead and Copper Sampling Plan.

• How do I minimize the risk of consuming lead?

  TWU adjusts the water's chemistry carefully and monitors it at the plant before it is distributed to prevent corrosion and minimize this risk. The best way to keep lead from entering drinking water is to eliminate lead pipes and plumbing.

• I'm concerned my home may have lead plumbing. How can I find out?

  Since you cannot see, taste, or smell lead, the best option is to contact a plumber to investigate or conduct a scratch test on plumbing that is easily accessible. A water test may not show lead in the water even if you have lead pipes due to how we treat our water to minimize corrosion risk. The most comprehensive test of all the piping in your home would be conducted by a plumber.

• Is my home at risk for lead plumbing?

  The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency defines high-risk homes as follows:

  • homes with a lead service line that connects the water main to internal plumbing
  • homes with copper pipe and lead solder built before 1988
  • homes with lead pipes
  • older brass fixtures may also contain lead

• Are the chemicals used for corrosion control safe?

  Tyler Water Utilities meets or exceeds all State and Federal requirements for drinking water. It's routinely tested, hundreds of times a month at the Golden Road and Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plants and at dozens of points throughout the City by TWU staff and the Northeast Texas Public Health District. You can read a digital copy of the 2023 Water Quality Report. All chemicals Tyler Water Utilities utilizes are NSF/ANSI 60 certified for drinking water treatment.

• What is corrosion and how does TWU prevent it?

  Corrosion is the natural gradual deterioration of certain materials. TWU carefully adjusts and monitors our water's chemistry at the plant before it is distributed to prevent and minimize the risk of corrosion. But the best way to eliminate the risk of lead from entering drinking water is to eliminate lead pipes and plumbing.

• How does lead get into drinking water?

  If lead is found in drinking water, it typically dissolves into water over time through corrosion of pipes and plumbing materials. Lead can dissolve into water from pipes, solder, fixtures, faucets (brass) and fittings. Factors that affect the amount of lead in water include mineral content, water mobility, pH and temperature.

• Is there lead in Tyler water?

  Lead is NOT in our drinking water when it leaves the treatment plants. The risk for lead to enter water comes from pipes and plumbing that are made from lead.

• What are the risks of lead exposure?

  Lead can cause a variety of adverse health effects. These effects may include:

  • increases in the blood pressure of some adults
  • delays in physical and mental development in babies and young children
  • deficits in the attention span, hearing, and learning abilities of children

  To learn more about lead contamination and the health effects, please visit Lead Exposure Symptoms and Complications | Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention | CDC.

• What is TCEQ?

  TCEQ is the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality. They are the environmental agency for the State. TCEQ regulates and maintains water quality and availability for municipalities, businesses, and homeowners. To learn more, visit Homepage - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - www.tceq.texas.gov.

• How could I be exposed to lead?

  The most common source of lead exposure is from paint. Lead-based paints were banned for use in housing in 1978. Lead can also be found in some household plumbing materials and some water service lines. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 10 to 20 percent of lead exposure may come from drinking water.

• What is lead?

  Lead is a naturally occurring metal. It can be harmful if inhaled or swallowed.

• My house is new, why should I care about this?

  Upgrading water infrastructure is necessary to maintain the high quality of water that residents expect. By filling out the survey, you are helping Tyler Water Utilities to complete an inventory of our service lines for when we begin the replacement process. You will also be helping your neighbors, as water providers that fulfill the requirements may be eligible for Federal funding to assist private property owners with replacing lead service lines.

• Is this only applicable to the City of Tyler/TWU Customers?

  This is a national initiative. Many cities have or will begin a city-wide inventory that will be made public.

• What is the revised Lead and Copper Rule?

  On December 16, 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced steps to strengthen the regulations on lead in drinking water.
  
  On August 4, 2022, the EPA released guidance to help communities identify pipes that connect drinking water to homes and other buildings that might contain lead. Under this guidance, the City of Tyler will be developing an inventory of over 50,000 service lines. This inventory will be available online to the public.
  
  The goal of the rule revision is to replace all lead service lines. Having an accurate inventory will help the City continue to replace lead service lines as they are located.
  
  Rules and guidelines continue to be updated by the EPA and cooperating agencies, and the City will stay aware of changes in order to maintain our high-water quality level.

• What is the EPA?

  The EPA is the United States' Environmental Protection Agency. The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment. To learn more, visit U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | US EPA.

• Why do I only see one meter for my area?

  If your area is an apartment complex or multi-housing facility, there will only be a master meter shown on the virtual map.