Lead and Copper Survey

he SSL Water Division is committed to making sure the water running to your home is safe and clean. Water suppliers must comply with federal regulations to ensure public health and safety.

Why is SSL Conducting a Lead and Copper Survey?

The City of South Salt Lake is currently conducting an inventory of water service lines within our community to identify what material is in resident water service lines. Your water service line is the pipe that runs water from the city main into your home, for which the home owner is responsible. This initiative is in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recent update to the Lead & Copper Rule (LCR), which was finalized on December 22, 2020. Per the new rule, community water systems are required to compile and submit an initial service line inventory to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Drinking Water Division by October 16, 2024. The EPA is helping cities and residents in replacing lead water pipes and is providing incentives for this process.

Why is Lead a Problem?

Lead contamination in water can have serious health effects on kids and adults. Young children, infants, and fetuses are particularly vulnerable to lead. A dose of lead that would have little effect on an adult can have a significant effect on a child; specifically, lead has been linked to lowering the IQ scores of kids. For adults, lead contamination can increase high blood pressure and risk of heart disease.

How Does Lead Get Into Drinking Water?

Lead can enter drinking water from natural deposits, but it primarily enters the water when  pipes and plumbing fixtures that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content. Some common sources of lead can include pipes, solder, brass plumbing fixtures, faucets, and pipe fittings. These lead service lines and fixtures are more likely to be found in homes built before 1986 and are the largest contributor of lead in drinking water.

What is a Water Service Line?

A water service line is the piping that connects your interior plumbing to the city water main, which is a shared line. If it contains lead piping, it is considered to be a lead service line. Typically, from the meter to the house is the homeowner’s responsibility, and from the meter to the main is the city’s responsibility. The city maintains records of all distribution lines. The primary material of these lines is ductile iron and PVC; however, we do not possess records of private homeowner service lines.

Water Service Line graphic

Understanding Your Water Service Line

It is the shared responsibility of SSL Water Division and property owners to protect from lead in drinking water. It’s important to note that SSL Water Division drinking water supplied from our treatment plants through the water mains to your household is free from lead contamination. The city is proactive in taking steps to replace old water mains and conducts rigorous water testing in accordance with state and federal regulations. Annual SSL Water Quality Reports are published for public access. SSL Water Division is not responsible for the private piping inside your home up to your water meter. This is where we need your help in identifying what kind of service line you have in your home. Please take a moment to identify what type of service line you have in your home, and complete our online survey to let us know.

How To Identify Your Water Service Line Material

There are a few ways to help you identify your water service line materials: scratch test, magnet test, calling a plumber. Click here for more information on identifying your water service line. Here are some resources for helping you check your service line.

Who Should Participate

If you are a resident of South Salt Lake, receive your water from the city, and if your house was constructed before 1990, you must participate. We need you to identify your service line material and complete the online survey  by the 2024 deadline as mandated by the EPA. By participating you not only gain knowledge about your water service line material, but also contribute to the completion of this important inventory project.

  • If you do not know your home's construction year, use the Salt Lake County Assessor page.
  • If you're a resident of South Salt Lake and receive your water from Salt Lake City, click here for their survey page.
  • If you're a resident of South Salt Lake and receive your water from Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, click here for their survey page.

Follow These Steps

  • STEP 1:  Locate the water pipe entering your home. This is typically where your main shutoff is (normally in the basement). If your pipe is plastic, you can stop here and complete the online survey.
  • STEP 2: Determine the material of your service line.
  • STEP 3: Once you've determined your service line material, complete the online survey.

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