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Emporia officials say drinking water meets standards after service-line notice; staff outlines 361-site inventory plan
Summary
City staff explained a required EPA/VDH service-line notice and said Emporia’s water testing remains below EPA action levels. The city has a $250,000 VDH grant and a contractor to inventory service-line materials; vacuum excavation will verify materials at about 361 sites.
Mayor Dr. Carolyn S. Carey and City staff addressed resident concerns on Jan. 20 after a mailed notice about the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule revisions.
Melvin W. Prince Jr., Director of Public Services, said the city received a $250,000 Virginia Department of Health grant to develop a lead service-line inventory and has contracted Black & Veatch to assist. He said the work will include vacuum excavation at both sides of the water meter as needed to verify service-line materials. Using EPA guidance, staff estimated roughly 361 excavations will be required citywide to meet inventory requirements; the VDH grant covers consulting and field verification costs in two parts ($150,000 for project administration and deliverables, $100,000 for field verification), which would fund approximately 100 field verifications and leave about 261 sites yet to be addressed.
Prince emphasized that Emporia’s water system has met federal standards and that recent sampling showed non-detectable lead at the water treatment plant and in the city’s routine testing. He said the notice residents received was a standard template provided by the Virginia Department of Health and was intended to prompt collection of service-line information and explain precautionary steps — not to signal evidence of contamination.
Councilman James C. Saunders, who placed the item on the agenda after constituents raised alarm, asked staff to clarify testing frequency and homeowner responsibilities. Prince and City Manager William E. Johnson III reiterated that the city is responsible for mains and the portion of service lines up to the meter, while property owners are responsible for plumbing on the private side of the meter.
Staff reviewed practical steps residents can take to reduce exposure — use cold water for drinking and cooking, flush taps before use, clean faucet aerators, and obtain NSF-certified filters that remove lead — and advised residents to have their water tested or to consult health providers about blood testing for children if they are concerned. Prince said all sampling is performed by a state‑certified laboratory.
The meeting record shows councilmembers and at least one resident, Marva Dunn, urged clearer communication: Dunn asked that future required notices include a short cover letter stating the city’s water is currently compliant and safe, to avoid unintended alarm. Mayor Carey and staff thanked residents for raising the concern and noted additional informational materials and EPA/VDH resources are being made available.
The city did not take any binding action on this item at the meeting; staff said they will continue the inventory and report back with cost and schedule clarifications.
