Lead Pipe Inventory
Lead Pipe Inventory Completed
A common material used in water systems until the 1950s and in household plumbing into the 1980s, lead is a powerful toxin that poses a serious health risk, particularly to developing fetuses, infants and children. The District treats and tests water to make sure that it is lead-free when it leaves the treatment facility to travel through water mains. However, lead can be present in some pipes that connect older homes to the water system, home plumbing, and faucets.
For this reason, the Environmental Protection Agency required all public water systems, including Montecito Water District, to conduct a Lead Service Line Inventory by October 16, 2024, with the goal of identifying any potential sources of lead in tap water associated with water service lines.
A comprehensive survey of the District’s pipes completed in 2018 detected no lead. Between March and September 2024, the District’s qualified staff conducted an inventory of pipes that connect customers to the water system using a State approved sampling process with an emphasis on properties built before 1986, the year the lead ban was enacted. No lead was apparent in any of the customer service lines examined.
No lead pipes were detected in an evaluation of more than 1,700 customer service connections, representing nearly 60% of homes built before 1986 when the “lead ban” was enacted. Results showed copper as the predominant pipe material (62%), followed by plastic (25%) and galvanized steel (13%).
Water delivered to homes passes through pipes including District-owned water mains and service lines, and customer-owned service lines and indoor/outdoor plumbing. The recent lead service line inventory evaluated customer owned service line connections at the meter box.
The best way to protect your household is to remove all lead that comes into contact with drinking water. If no part of your service line or plumbing contains lead, your household is likely not at risk.
If you believe your home may have lead pipes or plumbing, there are immediate steps you can take to reduce exposure. These include:
• Run the tap for several minutes before use
• Use only cold water for cooking or drinking
• Clean faucet aerators
• Use a home water filter certified for lead removal
You may also have your water tested by a certified laboratory and/or have your plumbing inspected by a licensed plumber.
Water delivered throughout the District is continuously treated and tested to ensure that it meets or exceeds Federal and State water quality standards in compliance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and the State of California’s Water Resources Control Board requirements. Regulated water quality data are reported annually in the Consumer Confidence Report which is updated annually.
Questions? Please, contact us.
