Have You Taken The LCRR Survey?

Ensuring the safety and well-being of our community is the top priority at SGWASA. Research shows that exposure to lead and copper in drinking water can pose significant health risks, we're committed to taking proactive measures to mitigate these concerns. Lead exposure, in particular, can have serious long-term effects on various bodily systems, including the nervous, reproductive, and circulatory systems. Similarly, copper can impact the gastrointestinal tract and liver function.

However, by working diligently to maintain and improve water quality standards, we're actively addressing these challenges head-on. Through ongoing monitoring, treatment, and infrastructure upgrades, we're ensuring that our water remains clean, pure, and safe for all who rely on it. Together, we're building a healthier future, one sip at a time.

In 1991, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a regulation to control lead and copper in drinking water known as the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). Since 1991, the LCR has undergone a series of revisions. In 2021, the EPA released the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) to better protect children and communities from the risks of lead exposure by removing sources from the nation’s drinking water supply.

Lead most commonly enters the drinking water supply when plumbing materials containing it begin to corrode, causing lead to leach into the water. The frequent sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, service lines and plumbing fixtures, brass or chrome-plated brass faucets containing lead, as well as pipes joined with lead-based solder or galvanized iron pipes that have absorbed lead materials. A galvanized pipe is one made of iron and steel that is coated with a protective layer of zinc. Household plumbing fixtures, welding solder and pipe fittings manufactured before 1986 are the most common sources of lead.

South Granville Water and Sewer Authority (SGWASA) has been monitoring lead and copper in homes in accordance with the LCR since 1992. SGWASA is required to report testing of lead and copper to the Public Water Supply Section of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). The results are reported on the North Carolina Public Water Supply Section, Drinking Water Watch page. SGWASA has been compliant with the LCR and has not exceeded the regulatory action levels for either lead or copper.

SGWASA’s service area population consists of approximately 6,600 meters in the Town of Butner, the City of Creedmoor, the Town of Stem, and a portion of Granville County. The SGWASA distribution system consists of approximately 78.9 miles of water mains consisting of cast iron, ductile iron and asbestos cement pipe materials. SGWASA owns service lines from the water main to, and including, the water meter.

Throughout the Town of Butner, it is common for the service lines to be composed of galvanized materials. Property owners retain ownership of the service line from the water meter to their tap. Water meters are typically located off the roadway edge, within the Right-Of-Way.

The new requirements of the LCRR will go into effect on Oct. 16, 2024. They state that SGWASA must take a series of actions including:

·       Developing a Service Line Material Inventory

·       Developing a Lead Service Line (LSL) Replacement Plan

·       Strengthening Drinking Water Treatment Requirements (Corrosion Control)

·       Preparing a Sampling Plan for Compliance including Sampling at Schools and Childcare Facilities

·       Assistance with Public Education and Outreach

·       Review of funding programs and identification of funding strategies

·       Other services as required to implement the LCRR

NCDEQ defines a service line as the pipe connecting the water main to the interior plumbing of a building.. The service line inventory is a record of all service line connections, including those owned by community water systems and customers. The inventory must identify the potential presence of lead within each service line connection. SGWASA does not have records of any known lead service lines.

Click here to view the SGWASA Project Page related to this LCRR update.

LCRR Timeline

Review Service Line Records (Complete)

SGWASA completed a thorough records review in 2023, identifying the service line material for 1,225 pipes. Staff identified non-lead service lines but no lead service lines. An additional 2,768 utility-owned service lines  remain to be inventoried and will require field verification.

Survey and Educate Customers

SGWASA will launch a customer survey in April 2024 for assistance in verifying remaining water service line material. SGWASA’s customers can aid in the effort by visiting the survey website and completing the inventory survey once available.

Perform Field Inspections

Throughout 2024, SGWASA will be conducting field inspections based on our previous research to reduce unknown materials located throughout the water system.

Share Results

Results of the service line verification will be made available by October 2024. Customers will be notified if their service line material is lead or galvanized.

Develop a Service Line Replacement Plan

SGWASA is required to establish a service line replacement plan pending the results of the inventory. Completion of the inventory will be a primary component of developing the plan.

Replace Service Lines

Customers will be notified directly if SGWASA determines that any of their service lines are lead or galvanized and require replacement. In some cases, galvanized pipes require replacement when they are located downstream of lead pipes as they can absorb lead.  SGWASA has identified funding sources, such as federal grants, to assist customers with replacement of customer-owned lead and galvanized service lines.

Communicate With Customers

SGWASA values keeping its customers informed during each step of this important process. Its goal is to communicate early and often with those who are affected by the LCRR in order to ensure a safe and successful project outcome.

Develop Water Quality Sampling Strategy

Building on past sampling efforts, SGWASA will develop a school, day care and residential lead and copper sampling strategy for implementation in October 2024. Results of this sampling will guide future LCRR action.

Educational Resources

Older homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes than newer homes. North Carolina’s natural water supplies, such as its rivers, lakes and streams, normally are not contaminated with lead. Nevertheless, lead can enter drinking water through the corrosion of materials containing lead in household plumbing. These materials include pipes made of lead or lead-based solder used to join copper pipe, as well as brass and chrome-plated brass faucets. Water service lines, the pipes connecting the water main to the interior plumbing of a building, also could be made of lead. When found, lead service lines are typically the most substantial source of lead in the water.

Learn about sources and health effects of lead in English or Spanish. 

Review resources from the EPA to learn more about lead exposure in drinking water and methods to reduce or prevent lead from seeping into the drinking water.

• Learn about health effects of lead exposure.

• Review basic information about lead in drinking water.

• Learn steps that can be taken to reduce lead in drinking water.

• View or download the lead in drinking water infographic.

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If you would like to get your water tested for lead, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services provides a list of certified laboratories for drinking water testing.