Lead and Copper Rule Updates
Overview
Our mission at GRU is to ensure that your tap water always meets drinking water standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). In recent years, the EPA has taken a closer look at the requirements for lead in drinking water and is making changes to its existing Lead and Copper Rule. With these changes, the EPA strives to protect communities — including schools and childcare facilities — from the risks of lead exposure by removing lead from our nation’s drinking water and empowering communities through information. GRU has always been in compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule.
As part of the rule revisions, utilities are required to create an inventory of water service line materials. A water service line is the pipe that carries water from GRU’s distribution main (large pipes usually located in the street) to where it enters the home or building. This inventory will include public service lines GRU installed and private service lines installed by the customer or their contractor.
What is in the new rule?
Improvements under the new rule include:
- Using science-based testing protocols to identify more sources of lead in drinking water.
- Establishing a lower maximum contaminant level (MCL) for lead.
- Driving more and complete lead service line replacements.
- Requiring testing in schools and childcare facilities.
- Requiring water systems to identify and make public the locations of lead service lines.
What does this mean for me?
It will take some time for GRU to identify all of the service lines in our area. GRU keeps excellent records of the lines (pipes) we installed; however, we do not have comprehensive records of the materials used on the customer side (the pipe from the water meter to the home). GRU will work with our customers to identify and inventory piping materials on the customer side.
Service lines that are not yet identified will be marked as “Unknown” in the inventory. We are required to identify BOTH the public (GRU) and private (customer) sides of the lines. If either side remains unidentified, the whole line will be classified as Unknown.
As a part of the rule, the inventory must identify the material of each part of each service line as lead, galvanized steel requiring replacement, non-lead, or unknown. GRU will continue verifying line materials over the next few years. We plan to physically verify the material type by digging a small hole, called a test pit, 12-18 inches from the water meter on the customer-owned service line at selected properties. We will choose properties based on records and plumbing age. GRU does not expect lead service lines in our system based on our records and historical knowledge. We are verifying to comply with the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).
What are the next steps?
- GRU will continue to follow the progress of the rule changes. Once the rule and Florida guidance documents are finalized, GRU will provide updated resources on this site.
- GRU is in the process of inventorying our service lines. This will be an ongoing effort, and GRU will update the inventory as additional information becomes available. The inventory is available here.
- GRU will contact you if we need more information about your service line material. You may also use the service line inventory website to verify your pipe materials or provide updated information to GRU by emailing us at ServiceLineInventory@gru.com
- GRU will work with the school board and local childcare facilities for testing over the next 5 years.
GRU’s History with the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR)
GRU’s water distribution system is in compliance with the existing Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), first published in 1991. On Jan. 15, 2021, the EPA published the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) in Subpart I of Title 40 Code of Federal Register Part 141 (40 CFR Part 141), which became effective on Dec. 16, 2021. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection released a guidance document for Service Line Material Inventories in January 2024 and the EPA issued the final rule for the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) in October 2024.
Lead Ban and Florida Plumbing Code
Florida banned using lead in water systems in January 1989. However, many service lines have unknown materials. Older homes and buildings, especially those built before January 1989, may still have a lead service line and/or internal plumbing and fixtures with lead. “Lead free” plumbing fixtures could have up to 8% lead until 2014. If your home was built before January 1989 there may be a chance of lead components or plumbing in your service line. If your home was built after 1989, then it is assumed that your pipes are not lead.
Help Us Update Service Line Material Records
If you replaced your service line and know the new service line material (i.e. PVC, blue poly-pipe, etc.) and/or installation date, please let us know at ServiceLineInventory@gru.com and we will update your information in the online inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a water service line?
- Water service lines are small pipes that carry water from water mains (large pipes located in the streets) into homes and other buildings, where they connect to the indoor plumbing. Most water service lines in Florida are plastic, but could be galvanized steel, copper, brass, cast iron, lead, or ductile iron.
- Who is responsible for the water service line on my property?
- GRU is responsible for the service line from the water main in the street to the water meter. The property owner is responsible for the service line from the water meter to where the service line enters the home or building. See the figure above for more details.
- Why is GRU doing an inventory of water service line materials?
- In 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency passed the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). The rule requires all water suppliers to prepare a service line inventory of GRU- and customer-owned materials.
- GRU maintained an inventory of GRU-owned water mains and service lines over the years. As of October 2024, GRU has not found any lead service lines. Under the LCRR, EPA requires all water systems to include water service line materials for the customer-owned part of the line.
- GRU does not expect to find lead service lines in our system. However, older homes built before Florida banned lead in January 1989 may have lead service lines.
- Does GRU have lead service lines?
- At this time, GRU has no records of lead service lines in our water system. However, we have many unknown materials that need to be identified. Most of these unknowns are on the private (or customer owned) side of the meter.
- Why is my service line listed as "unknown?"
- While GRU has records of the service lines we installed, we do not have comprehensive records of the materials used on the customer's private plumbing. GRU will work with customers to identify these unknowns using physical or digital methods. If you have information about your service line material, you can contact GRU at ServiceLineInventory@gru.com
- My service line material is not correct in the inventory, how can I update it?
- My service line is listed as “unknown,” is there anything I can do to determine my service line material?
- Why is the EPA requiring replacement for some galvanized service lines?
- Galvanized pipe downstream of a lead service line can absorb lead overtime and can contribute to lead in drinking water. People living in homes with a galvanized service line that has absorbed lead may have an increased risk of exposure to lead from their drinking water. If a utility cannot provide reasonable assurance that a lead service line was never upstream of the galvanized line, then the galvanized line must be replaced.
- What are the health effects of lead?
- According to the US EPA: 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 worsen existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these negative health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney, or nervous system problems.
- Where can I learn more about lead in drinking water?
- What steps can I take to protect myself if I think I have lead in my water?
- Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
- Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator).
- Consider using a water filter certified to remove lead and know when it’s time to replace the filter. For more information on filters that remove lead please visit https://www.epa.gov/water-research/consumer-tool-identifying-point-use-and-pitcher-filters-certified-reduce-lead
- Before drinking or cooking, flush your pipes by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or washing dishes.
- Have your water tested by a certified laboratory.
- If you’re concerned about lead in your drinking water, talk to your healthcare provider about getting your child tested to determine lead levels in their blood.
- In the unlikely event that you have a lead water service line, GRU will work with you to create a replacement plan. Please contact us at ServiceLineInventory@gru.com to learn more. Replacement is voluntary; no one will be forced to replace their line.
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