Lead and Copper

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Background Overview

In 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) requirements that public water systems must comply with starting on October 16, 2024, as outlined in the Lead and Copper Improvement (LCRI) proposal. These requirements include the initial service line inventory, notification to persons served of known or potential lead service line, Tier 1 public notification of a lead action level exceedance, and associated reporting requirements.

The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) protects public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water, primarily by reducing water corrosivity. Lead and copper enter drinking water mainly from plumbing materials containing lead and copper. All community water systems (CWSs) and non-transient non-community water systems (NTNCWSs) are subject to LCR requirements.

Water Line Diagram

Figure 1. A diagram of the service line ownership distinction between the water system and customer. (Source: Hazen and Sawyer)

What are the Health Effects of Lead?

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Avondale is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, however, cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap from 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800- 426-4791) and at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

What is the City of Avondale Doing to Address Lead and Copper?

The City of Avondale has been monitoring lead and copper in homes in accordance with the Lead and Copper rule since the original rule came out in 1992. In addition, the City has remained in compliance with the LCR and not exceeded the regulatory action levels for either lead or copper.

The lead service line inventory requirement as a part of the LCRI includes a physical verification of services installed pre-1990 which the City completed on October 16, 2024. City of Avondale Public Works staff may have conducted inspections at your property and other properties across Avondale to further finalize the City’s inventory. The City of Avondale continues to finalize its lead service line inventory with an expected non-lead designation by no later than the regulatory deadline at the end of 2027.

The Types of Classifications for Service Lines are Defined as One of the Following:

Lead: A portion of the pipe is made of lead, which connects the water main to the building inlet.

Galvanized Requiring Replacement (GRR): A galvanized service line that is or ever was downstream of an LSL or is currently downstream of an unknown service line.

Non-Lead: The service line is determined not to be lead or GRR through an evidence-based record, method, or technique.

Unknown: The service line material is not known to be a lead, GRR, or non-lead, such as where there is no documented evidence supporting material classification. EPA recommends you track additional information in your inventory, such as pipe diameter and installation date, source of material information, actual material of nonlead lines, and other lead sources (e.g., lead goosenecks and solder).

Photo Source: EPA

Lead and Copper Inventory Results and Additional Resources

To comply with state and federal regulations, results for the City of Avondale’s Lead and Copper Inventory Project can be found online at 120Water using the following link: https://pws-ptd.120wateraudit.com/CityofAvondale-AZ. Customers will be notified if their service line material is lead, galvanized, or an unknown material.

For additional information on Lead and Copper regulations visit the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at https://azdeq.gov/LeadCopperRule or the Environmental Protection Agency’s website at https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/lead-and-copper-rule.