The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enhanced its regulations regarding drinking water to identify and remove sources of lead contamination. The main purpose of this rule is to guarantee that the drinking water in our homes, schools, and businesses remains safe and free from lead. This is a significant development for cities and their water departments nationwide, and there are several requirements and guidelines that we must adhere to in order to ensure compliance.
The City of Ennis is unwavering in its commitment to providing our community with high-quality drinking water. The water sourced from our facilities is safe and lead-free, and this has always been the case!
So, how can lead become an issue? It can infiltrate the water as it travels through service lines, pipes, and plumbing within or near your home. However, we have implemented a plan to eliminate these potential lead sources.
Our City of Ennis Public Works team has been working to build an inventory of both utility and customer service lines, using construction records and repair records to inform our work as we make these updates. Good news for newer homes: lead pipes were not allowed to be used in construction after 1972.
Our field crews are actively inspecting service lines throughout the community and have already completed about half of the inventory. If you did not receive a letter in the mail, it’s likely that your home has already been checked and confirmed to be free of lead, or that it was built after 1972 and does not require further inspection.
If you received a letter in the mail, it means your home has not yet been checked, and we are required by the EPA to notify you that your service line has not yet been confirmed as lead-free. Our crews are actively working to complete the remaining inspections and verify that all lines are safe.
You may notice crews inspecting connections near water meters, but there’s no need to worry—they will be quick and move on efficiently.
For questions or concerns please call Ennis Public Works at 972-875-1906 or email EnnisPublicWorks@ennistx.gov.
What is a service line?
Water service lines are small pipes that carry water from the water mains, located in the streets, to individual homes and buildings. Water service lines can be made of plastic, brass, copper, cast iron, ductile iron, lead, or galvanized steel. Federal law banned lead water service lines in the late 1980s, so homes built after 1989 should not have lead service lines.
Who Owns the Water Service Line?
The City owns the water service line from the main in the street to the water meter, typically at the edge of the property line. The property owner owns the water service line from the water meter to where it enters the building and connects with the building’s internal plumbing.
The City of Ennis is doing an inventory of water service lines in its water distribution system. This inventory will identify the material of your water service line, including if it is made of lead.
How can I reduce my exposure to lead?
To learn more about how to reduce your exposure to lead, visit the EPA's website.
There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. especially pregnant people, infants (both formula-fed and breastfed), and young children. Some of the health effects to infants and children include decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can also result in new or worsened learning and behavior problems. The children of persons who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy may be at increased risk of these harmful health effects. Adults have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems. Contact your health care provider for more information about your risks.
Additional Resources:
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
EPA - Revised Lead and Copper Rule Information
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - Drinking Water Lead and Copper Program
Lead Water Service Line Information
American Water Works Association - Managing Lead in Drinking Water
Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative - Fact Sheet
Health Information on Lead in Water
EPA- Tool for Identifying Point-of-Use and Pitcher Filters
Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water
Home Drinking Water Filtration Fact Sheet
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Lead Poisoning Prevention Information