Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

An email from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities Department is requesting the public’s assistance with a national effort to identify any lead pipes that may remain underground.

“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requiring all public water utilities in the nation to identify the material of every service line in their system,” the email said. “For more than 20 years, WSFC Utilities has provided water customers with tap water that meets or surpasses all federal water quality standards, including lead. WSFC Utilities now asks all residential and commercial customers for some help meeting these new EPA rules.

“Your private service line is the underground pipe running from the water meter to the shutoff valve, generally located inside your home or business. To get started, go to cityofws.org/pipes and click on the online ‘Customer Service Line Inventory.'”

According to the email, the first round of local reporting must be delivered to the state soon. Please complete this request by Aug. 30 to avoid the additional time and money WSFC Utilities will need to spend to follow-up and complete this preliminary identification phase for all customers.

The release provided steps to assist with the process.

“Locate your shutoff valve and complete the self-reporting process today to ensure your service line is correctly identified,” it said. “Go to cityofws.org/pipes on your smart phone or tablet and follow the steps. To expedite verification of your service line material for the state and EPA, you must upload a digital photo of your service line to complete the report.”

So why does anyone need to do this?

This is a new EPA rule and WSFC Utilities staff can’t enter private property.

When should residents do this?

As soon as possible. It should take less than 15 minutes with your smart phone or tablet, a magnet and a coin.

According to the release, lead is not as much of a problem here as in colder climates.

“If you discover your service line is made of lead, the risk is low for exposure because your tap water has been treated since 1992 with an approved corrosion control method that prevents the leaching of lead,” the release said. “Information on replacement will be shared in a future phase of this program.”

Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or worsen existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these negative health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure and kidney or nervous system problems. Learn more at epa.gov/lead.

For more information and FAQs, go to cityofws.org/pipes.