Lead service line information

Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI)

As part of the new revision of the Revised Lead and Copper rule mandated by the EPA, we are required to notify our customers of any potential sites or issues with the district’s service lines.

To comply with these mandates, we are informing all our customers and anyone interested in our district’s service of the fact that Hughes County RWD 6 has no lead or copper service lines. Since our system’s original construction in 1992, there were not, nor have any been installed after, lead or copper service lines. ALL service lines in our distribution system are of polyethylene (PE) pipe. This is the service line that allows the water to flow from the main lines (made of PVC) to the meter setter and point of connection.

The point of connection is a statutory legal term that defines where the district’s responsibility ends, and the customers begins. As pointed out in other news articles and documents from Hughes County RWD6, (please see the “THINGS TO KNOW” article on our website; Hughesrwd6,com) we have a profound respect for private property rights. There must be a clearly defined point where custody, responsibility, and control are transferred from the district to the customer for the water and the pipes that carry it. No one wants the district to dictate what shower head must be used or the faucets to be installed. However, the EPA has no issue with making demands on our water system to be responsible for the water that goes through your appliances. So, unless each customer buys appliances, pipes, fittings and fixtures MADE IN the USA, your plumbing and appurtenances may NOT meet EPA standards. The logic is to reduce potential contamination of the water simply by passing through the pipes. Which is a good and noble cause, but our District cannot assume responsibility for your private property… anything past the point of connection.

The sampling procedure mandated by EPA for lead and copper samples requires the water to be the “first draw” after sitting in the fixtures and pipes of the customer for at least 6 hours. This procedure is indicative of what is actually being tested. The water provided to the point of connection is tested rigorously, and often, for many potential contaminants. The water being tested for lead and copper is not testing the water but using the water as a carrier to test the customers’ faucets and fixtures for potential contaminants leaching into the water. The costs of testing are put on the water supplier. Public water suppliers are being held responsible (liable) for private property, costing every customer undue expense. Everything we do at Hughes County RWD 6 has to be in accordance with three words: FAIR, EQUITABLE and NON-DISCRIMINATORY. This requirement by EPA is not fair to every customer, nor is it non-discriminatory. But it is the mandate our water system must comply with.  

EPA states directly from their website “there is no safe level of lead”. But neglect the fact that safety is a relative term. It could also be said that no safe playground has ever been built. The water provided by HCRWD6 is well below (2.23 ppb) the action level of 15 ppb. These results are sampled from sites with the known HIGHEST potential for any contamination. We at HCRWD6 are committed to providing the absolute best quality of water in the SERVICE we provide. The duties and responsibilities placed upon us are taken very seriously. Our water is not only safe, but the service is exceptional. The clearly defined boundaries of the district’s property and responsibilities are for everyone’s benefit.

Should anyone have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us.