San Antonio Launches Initiative to Identify Lead Risks in Water Service Lines

San Antonio Takes Big Steps to Tackle Lead in Water Service Lines

Hey San Antonio! Exciting changes are happening in our very own city, thanks to a federal initiative aimed at keeping our drinking water safe. The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) has launched an extensive inventory project to identify any potential lead risks in our water service lines. This initiative is part of a nationwide effort mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce lead exposure in our drinking water.

What’s the Deal with Water Service Lines?

For those who might not be familiar, a water service line is the pipe that connects your home or business to the public water system. It’s usually tucked away underground somewhere in your yard, snugly resting between your water meter and your property. Here in San Antonio, there are over 600,000 water service lines that need to be checked!

One interesting aspect of our water service lines is what they call “split ownership.” This means that SAWS is responsible for the section of the line from the main water supply to your meter, while you, the homeowner, own the part from the meter into your home. Sounds pretty straightforward, right?

Why This Matters?

So why is this inventory so important? Starting in 2021, the EPA set requirements aimed at reducing lead in drinking water. Over the years, these rules have tightened, meaning cities like ours had to step up their game. SAWS was given a deadline of October 16 to kick off their inventory, and they’re hard at work determining the materials used in every service line in the system.

What You Need to Know

When you look up your property in the SAWS inventory, you’ll find out whether your water service line contains lead, is galvanized (a type of metal), is made of non-lead materials, or if it’s still classified as unknown. If your home was built after 1989, chances are you’re in the clear! Homes constructed after that date are unlikely to contain any lead—that’s when it became illegal to use lead in water infrastructure.

What’s the Status of the Project?

As of now, a significant portion of the inventory has shown up as “unknown.” The team at SAWS is on the case, working diligently to identify the materials for those lines classified as unknown and ensuring that customers are informed. There are still about 150,000 lines on both sides of the meter whose materials remain a mystery, plus an additional 235,000 lines where the material is known on SAWS’ side but not on the customer’s side.

To keep everyone updated, SAWS is sending out letters and emails to customers deemed “at risk” or those whose material is flagged as unknown. They plan to start scheduling inspections in January for those properties. Have you recently replaced your water service line with a non-lead option? You can self-report that to SAWS, and they’ll keep a record.

Looking Ahead

This inventory isn’t just a quick glance—it’s going to be an ongoing project until 2027. It’s crucial to note that all at-risk pipes need to be replaced by then. So, if you’re worried about the safety of your drinking water, now’s the time to take action!

You can access the inventory online through the SAWS website to see what’s going on with your service line. If you’re unsure, it’s encouraged to check out the site before reaching out to their customer service.

San Antonio is making strides towards safer drinking water, and it’s a team effort involving both the city and its residents. If you have any questions or concerns about your water service line, make sure to get involved and stay informed!