The Town of Seneca Falls has not yet identified what your service line is made of. All or a part of your service line may be made of lead.
What is a Lead Status Unknown Service Line?
A service line is the pipe connecting the water main to the building inlet. A typical configuration of a service line is shown here. The town owns the service line from the water main to a curb stop, property owners own the service line from the curb stop to the building inlet. When any section of the service line material is unknown, we need to categorize it as a lead status unknown service line.
What Does It Mean?
We don’t know what your service line or portion of it is made of. Until we can confirm that the entire length of your service line is not made of lead, we will continue to provide information about lead in drinking water once a year, so you can take precautionary measures to minimize your potential exposure to lead in drinking water.
Source of Lead in Drinking Water
Lead enters drinking water from a lead service line and indoor plumbing materials such as lead solder on copper pipes and chrome-plated brass or brass fixtures and faucets.
Health Effects of Lead
*Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.*
Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water
- Use your filter properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/home-drinking-water-filtration-fact-sheet and EPA’s Consumer Tool for Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead.
- Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
- Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
- Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home. Residents may contact us at 315-568-6211 or email sfwclerk@senecafalls.gov for recommendations about flushing times in their community.
- Learn what your service line material is. Contact us at 315-568-6211 or email sfwclerk@senecafalls.gov or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials. Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead is EPA’s on-line step by step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home.
- Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Contact us at 315-568-6211 or email: sfwclerk@senecafalls.gov to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service line. Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line if present.
- Have your water tested. Contact us at 315-568-6211 or email: sfwclerk@senecafalls.gov to have your water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water.
Get Your Child Tested to Determine Lead Levels in their Blood
Although there is no confirmation of having a lead service line, you may wish to speak with a healthcare provider to see if your child’s blood lead level is elevated and/or if there is a need for blood testing, if you are concerned about potential exposure. For more information on these actions, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/advisory/acclpp/actions-blls.htm.
Opportunities to Verify Your Service Line Material
We are also responsible for maintaining an inventory of all service lines, so keep us updated if your service line changes.
Please visit the following link SERVICE LINE STATUS to complete the google form we have created to better help us develop an inventory of service lines in the Town of Seneca Falls.
If you have any questions about your service line, call us at 315-568-6211.
For more information on lead in drinking water, contact the Seneca County Health Department at 315-539-1945, 2465 Bonadent Dr Suite 3 Waterloo, NY 13165
This notice is brought to you by the Town of Seneca Falls
State Water System ID# NY49011
11/04/2024
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