Dallas Water Utilities develops Service Line Inventory 

In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a regulation to control lead and copper in drinking water known as the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). Since then, the LCR has undergone various revisions and on January 15, 2021, the EPA published the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). On November 30, 2023, the EPA proposed additional changes as part of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) and the current administration issued a final rule on October 8, 2024, requiring drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years.   

Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) is committed to providing superior rated drinking water. DWU’s tap water meets all established regulatory requirements for drinking water and our system is rated as a Superior Water System, the highest rating offered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Over 46 years ago, Dallas began eliminating lead service lines and pipes that could leach lead into the water. Dallas’ water treatment process also employs corrosion control strategies to prevent lead from leaching into water.  

As part of the requirements of the LCRR, all public water systems must submit an initial Service Line Inventory to TCEQ by October 16, 2024 and provide periodic updates over the next ten years until the inventory is completed. DWU has developed a Service Line Inventory and has been reviewing existing documentation including plumbing codes, permits, historical capital improvement or master plans, distribution system maps and drawings, inspections and records of the distribution system and any other water system records that indicate the material composition of the service line connections. The inventory includes public and private service lines connected to the distribution system and categorizes the material of each service line.  

The LCRI includes a 10-year timeline for the completion of the Service Line Inventory and the replacement of any lead and galvanized lines found as part of this effort. Property owners are responsible for maintaining the private portion of the service line, including replacing any lead plumbing inside their premises and along their property coming from the meter.  

DWU will continue its efforts to update the Service Line Inventory by conducting visual inspections, and has prepared a customer survey to help gather necessary data and feedback to fulfill this obligation effectively. The survey provides tips on locating and identifying the material of the water service line, including details on how it connects to the home or building. Participants can complete a brief questionnaire and are also encouraged to upload photos of their service lines. A link to the Service Line Inventory and to the Customer Service Line Survey can be found on the DWU Lead and Copper webpage at bit.ly/DWULeadInfo

As a reminder, DWU’s Water Quality Division offers customers free lead testing of their water upon request by calling 3-1-1.  

If you have any questions, please contact the DWU Water Quality office by calling 214-670-0915 or sending an email to [email protected]

Additional Lead Resources 

EPA- Drinking Water 

EPA- Ground Water and Drinking Water 

CDC- Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention 

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