Lead Service Line Inventory

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MT DEQ) are requiring all water providers to inventory all of the service lines connected to their water mains.

A service line is the underground pipe that carries water from the water main, likely in the street, into your home or building. The City needs to determine the material that the service line is made of. Service lines are often copper, plastic, or galvanized iron or steel, but older homes and buildings may have a lead service line. Pipes containing lead are a potential health risk in drinking water.

Health Effects of Lead:

Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones, and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development.

The City will be contacting you to answer some questions. Your answers will help determine what your service line is made of. The City may also request access to your home to see your water meter and/or shutoff valve in your home/residence/business and/or possibly dig small holes on your property to inspect the service line.

We encourage you to take the time to respond to the questions provided and allow access to your property should that be needed. The goal is to develop a full inventory of service lines going to homes and buildings. This will help determine if you or your family have a lead exposure risk from your service line or plumbing. This is especially important to young children, infants and fetuses who are most vulnerable to lead health effects.

Please remember that any PWS operator or personnel who is charged with the responsibility of service line inventory needs to be treated with respect and common courtesy. They are members of our community who provide a beneficial service, running water. This effort is not only to protect your health, but also your asset.

Thank you for your cooperation and together, let’s get the lead out.