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County water systems begin public outreach on lead service line inventory after EPA rule revisions
Summary
After EPA revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule, Mason County staff said they will notify water system customers about a required lead service line inventory, post a public survey, and publish an interactive map; county staff said most municipal sides are PVC but private‑side materials built before 1986 require homeowner input.
County staff told commissioners that the Environmental Protection Agency's revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule require water systems to inventory service‑line materials and report findings. The county updated facility inventory reports and is sending notices to customers with instructions and a survey link to help identify private‑side service‑line materials.
Staff said all county municipal sides of meters are PVC or nonmetal and therefore not lead, but private‑side lines built before 1986 are of greatest concern. The county's water staff plans to provide a public, GIS‑based map showing addresses and whether the county has identified the municipal side; staff said the city of Shelton’s approach was used as a model.
County staff emphasized they cannot compel private homeowners to replace service lines but can alert them if a lead service line is identified. The outreach will be included with regular billing and uses a survey mechanism for customers to report construction era and materials. Staff said meters do not reveal private‑side pipe material because the service lines are buried.
Commissioners were asked to be prepared for public inquiries and were told staff updated contact information with regulators after a previous notification had gone to a former employee.
