Lead Water Line Survey in Progress in Kingsport

Lead Water Line Survey in Progress in Kingsport

As a proactive step towards meeting the new regulations approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, the city of Kingsport, TN, is making a special request to its residents. A total of 900 residents have responded so far to the city’s survey aimed at identifying potential lead water lines flowing into homes.
Harris Darby, a civil engineer for Kingsport, urged property owners to participate and emphasized the importance of this initiative, saying, “It would be a tremendous amount of labor and cost for the city to have to go and dig two or three holes on every single service line.” He added that the city does not have any funds allocated for lead line replacement.

New EPA Regulations

According to the new EPA regulations, all drinking water utilities in the United States must identify and establish a replacement plan for all lead service lines within their systems by the 16th of October. Lead service lines, identified as a potential public health hazard in the early 1990s, must be replaced or risk lead contamination in the public’s drinking water.

Public Participation

In order to meet the set deadline, Kingsport’s officials are seeking public participation in identifying the service line material from the meter to their homes. To this end, Kingsport residents are encouraged to take the Lead Line Survey on the city’s website or via the ConnectKingsport app. Respondents will need their utility/water billing account number to complete the survey.

How To Identify Lead Pipes

Residents may easily identify lead pipes in their homes by following a few simple steps. A lead pipe can be differentiated from other types of pipes by scratching it with a screwdriver or another tool. A lead pipe will appear silver and shiny after being scratched. Additionally, a magnet will not stick to a lead pipe, and they produce a dull metallic sound when tapped with a coin.

Responsibility for Replacement

Upon identification, replacement plans and funding mechanisms will be established. The city will be responsible for replacing any lead lines until the line enters the house. Beyond that point, the homeowner will be responsible for replacing the water lines.
If Kingsport does not manage to verify a service line’s material by the deadline, the city will be obligated to send an annual mailer to customers advising that their house may or may not be supplied by a lead line. Homes built after 1986 are not expected to have lead pipes, as the use of such pipes was banned after that year.

Contact for Assistance

To assist in the survey or address any questions related to it, residents can reach out via phone at 423-343-9800 or via email at wsengineers@kingsporttn.gov.