Centreville begins lead-and-copper service-line inventory; 257 responses from 976 notices

Town staff reported that the town has begun the inventory of water service-line materials required under federal and state lead-and-copper rules and that an initial notice round has been mailed to residents.

Utility staff said the town mailed 976 survey notices and has received 257 returned responses to date. The inventory is mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Maryland Department of the Environment; the town must identify service-line materials so it can plan future replacements where lead or lead-containing materials are present.

Staff said the inventory work has been underway for roughly 14 years in planning and that the current phase includes homeowner surveys and a future door-to-door verification to confirm materials when owners are unsure. Engineers have already done some door-to-door assistance in the first outreach round.

Council members asked how the long-term replacement program will be funded. Staff explained that replacement planning is long-term (roughly a 10-year planning horizon mentioned on the record), and that state revolving loan funds will be a likely source. Those state funds are loans; the town may choose to borrow on behalf of customers and recover the cost through utility-billing mechanisms if property owners do not opt for voluntary replacements.

Staff also noted that the regulation covers lead and copper issues broadly: galvanized service lines with lead-bearing coatings are included, and the regulatory cutoff discussed on the record was materials installed before 1985 when lead solder and fittings were restricted.

Town staff asked residents to respond to the mailed survey; those who remain unsure about their service-line material will receive door-to-door inspection and assistance.