In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the implementation of two new federal lead regulations, specifically the Lead and Copper Rule, which aims to enhance water safety under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized revisions to this rule last week, mandating community water systems to test for lead in drinking water supplies, particularly from lead service lines that may still exist in older plumbing.

Salt Lake City officials reported that the city has not faced significant lead contamination issues, attributing this to the quality of its source water, which is non-corrosive and helps prevent lead leaching from pipes. However, the city is required to remove all lead service lines within the next decade. To comply, officials are currently inventorying over 90,000 connections to identify any lead pipes, both on the public side (from the water main to the meter) and the private side (from the meter to homes).

The compliance deadline for posting the inventory map online was set for this week, allowing residents to check the status of their service lines. Officials encouraged community members to participate in a survey to provide additional information about their plumbing.

The meeting also touched on water quality testing, with Salt Lake City meeting all Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. Officials confirmed that the city tests for over 90 contaminants and publishes an annual report on water quality.

Additionally, the discussion included the topic of fluoride in drinking water. Only Salt Lake and Davis Counties have mandated fluoridation due to voter initiatives, while other areas may not have similar requirements. Recent studies raising concerns about fluoride's potential impact on children's IQ have prompted inquiries from residents, but officials reassured that the fluoride levels maintained in the water supply remain below the risk threshold identified in the studies.

Lastly, the meeting addressed the presence of \"forever chemicals,\" specifically PFAS, in local water sources. While surface water tests returned negative results, a groundwater source serving downtown Salt Lake City showed low levels of PFAS, prompting officials to explore treatment options for this contamination.