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Seaford says water is safe but flags about 1,970 services after statewide lead‑service inventory
Summary
Public Works told the council the city submitted a required lead‑service inventory and will mail notices to customers whose service materials are unknown; the city reported recent testing well below EPA action levels but said replacement obligations will extend through 2037 for services that cannot be shown non‑lead.
City officials briefed council on the federally driven lead‑and‑copper compliance work that will affect thousands of Seaford water customers.
Director of Public Works Alfredo Mears said the city submitted its inventory by the state deadline and placed results in a state database. The inventory lists 4,235 water services; about 1,970 are categorized as unknown material or galvanized and may require further inspection or replacement. Mears said the Biden administration and EPA finalized a rule requiring communities to replace services they cannot confirm are lead‑free within 10 years after the rule’s effective date, creating a 2037 replacement horizon for services not verified as safe.
Mears stressed current sampling is within regulatory limits: the city’s most recent reduced monitoring (20 samples) showed 19 nondetectable results and one sample at 2.6 parts per billion, well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb. He said the city will mail informational letters to affected customers within 30 days and expects to field questions; the letters are informational but may prompt customer concern about water quality.
Key details recorded in the meeting:
- Inventory total: 4,235 services. - Services flagged as unknown/galvanized: ~1,970. - Most recent sample set: 19 nondetectable; 1 sample at 2.6 ppb (EPA action level 15 ppb). - Replacement deadline for unverified services: by 2037 under the new rule.
What residents can do: staff said customers may request water sampling through the city’s program or use third‑party kits; the consultant 120 Water will provide sample kits and support.
Next steps: city staff will begin mailing letters, respond to public inquiries, continue field inspections to verify service materials, and plan for long‑term replacement prioritization and budgeting.
