Water Quality

EPA Lead and Copper Rule Compliance

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Lead and Copper Rule in 1988 to reduce lead and copper contamination in drinking water.  Since then, the City has performed frequent water quality sampling throughout the distribution system and lead and copper sampling at customers’ households to proactively respond to the water quality in our system. The City has complied with these rules since 1988 and tests for lead routinely as required by TCEQ.

In 2021 and 2023, the EPA revised the Lead and Copper Rule, Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (2021) and proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (2023), to strengthen protections against potential lead exposure through drinking water. As a result, all water systems in the U.S., including The City of White Settlement, must create a comprehensive inventory of all public and private water service lines within their system. This includes notifying any homes or businesses served by lead service lines or galvanized requiring replacement line. Galvanized requiring replacement service lines are galvanized piping that was or could have been downstream from a lead source.

The City of White Settlement has identified and documented 100% of all service lines. A complete list of water service line materials can be found in the inventory document below.

SERVICE LINE INVENTORY

What Is the Lead and Copper Rule?

The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation designed to protect public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water, which can leach from pipes and plumbing materials. Lead exposure, especially in children, can lead to serious health issues, including developmental delays and neurological damage. The LCR requires water systems to regularly test water at high-risk locations, implement corrosion control treatments, replace lead service lines when necessary, and inform the public of test results and any risks. For more information about the Lead and Copper Rule, visit Lead and Copper Rule | US EPA.

Why Are Lead and Copper Harmful?

Lead and copper in drinking water can pose serious health risks, especially for vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, and those with certain health conditions. Lead exposure is particularly harmful to young children and infants. In adults, lead exposure has been linked to many issues. Copper, an essential nutrient in small amounts, can become toxic when levels are too high. You can find more information about the effects of lead and copper here.

Sources of Lead

Lead can be found in older homes and buildings, soil, dust, drinking water, and folk remedies. You can find more information on how to protect your family from sources of lead here.

How We Protect Our Customers

To comply with the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule and ensure safe drinking water, the City of White Settlement follows a three-step approach required by the EPA. Here’s how we work to protect our community:

1. Identifying and Inventorying Lead Service Lines: We maintain a detailed inventory of lead service lines in our community. This helps us monitor potential lead sources and prioritize areas needing attention.

2. Implementing Corrosion Control Treatment: Corrosion control is crucial for reducing lead and copper leaching from pipes into drinking water. We aim to prevent metals from dissolving into the water supply by adjusting water chemistry.

3. Monitoring Lead and Copper Levels: We conduct regular testing at customer taps to monitor lead and copper levels actively. If levels exceed EPA action thresholds, we take additional actions to lower risks, including lead service line replacement where necessary.

What Can Residents Do?

Residents can take simple steps to reduce lead and copper exposure in drinking water:

1. Test Your Water: If you have a private well or live in an older home, arrange for water testing to check for lead and copper levels.

2. Replace Lead Plumbing: If your home has lead service lines or pipes with lead solder, consider replacing them to reduce long-term exposure.

3. Flush Your Taps: Run cold water for 1–2 minutes before drinking or cooking, especially if the water has been sitting in pipes for several hours. This helps clear any accumulated lead or copper.

4. Use Cold Water for Consumption: Only use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula, as hot water is more likely to leach metals from pipes.

5. Install a Certified Filter: Consider using a water filter certified to remove lead. More information can be found at: LCRI Questions and Answers | US EPA

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
LCR Fact Sheet
EPA Lead in Drinking Water Information
EPA Lead and Copper Rule Next Steps
Proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements US EPA (LCRI)
Protect Your Tap: A Quick Check for Lead
CDC Lead in Drinking Water
TCEQ Drinking Water Lead and Copper Program

Annual Water Quality reports are required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to inform citizens about the quality of their drinking water.