Lead Protection Program

Historical compliance with lead regulation

The City has routinely monitored the water quality in accordance with state and federal safe drinking water requirements. Our historical results show that the city’s lead results have met safe drinking water standards. 

The City of San Angelo has developed a Lead Protection Program to inspect service lines. City staff is working with Freese & Nichols and their sub-consultants to identify individual residential sites to inspect.

New initiatives to meet updated lead regulation

The Environmental Protection Agency recently updated its standards to protect communities from the risks of lead exposure from drinking water. These new standards – the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions – require all drinking water utilities in the United States, including Texas, to take new actions and begin additional communications with customers. 

In accordance with the updated rules, we’re implementing several key initiatives to strengthen efforts toward eliminating lead exposure through drinking water. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Inspecting lead service lines (LSLs) – We are in the process of identifying and documenting the material of every service line in San Angelo. The City gathered data on service line materials alongside our city-wide meter replacement program in 2023 and 2024. City staff will continue efforts to identify service line materials until every service line material is identified in the system.
   
   
2. Improved monitoring and response – We’ll be updating our sampling protocol to improve lead monitoring throughout the water distribution system. As a part of this initiative, new sample locations will be selected and customers may receive notices requesting participation as a sample site.
   
   As required by rules, the City samples for routinely for lead at designated sample sites. The locations do not change year to year and were selected to target homes with lead service lines or copper plumbing with lead solder. The new rules may require the City to update our sample locations in addition to the sampling protocol. Between 2024 and 2027 customers may receive surveys or forms from the City requesting participation as a new sample site or requesting information on the interior plumbing. We are relying on the cooperation and support of our community. To verify that a communication is from the City, please contact 325-226-0785 or elena.velez-reyes@cosatx.us. We truly appreciate our customers' participation and cooperation in helping us monitor and safeguard against lead.
   
   
3. Transparency and education – We’re enhancing public education efforts to raise awareness about lead in drinking water. We will be regularly reaching out to residents with information regarding the City’s service line materials, water testing for lead, potential risks of lead from interior plumbing, and steps to protect their families.
   
   Beginning October and November 2024 the City will notify customers who are served by a known lead line, a galvanized line that may potentially contain lead, or a line of unknown material.
   
   
4. Next steps – On Oct. 7, 2024, the EPA released the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) to further clarify and strengthen the LCRR. The City of San Angelo has met the LCRR compliance requirements due Oct. 16, 2024, but we will continue to develop our service line inventory over the next few years and prepare for LCRI requirements.

Service line inventory

The service line inventory allows customers to view the inventory and the service line material listed for each address served by our water system. By entering an address, you can view detailed information about the material of the service line, including the public-side service line: extending from the water main to the water meter, and the private-side service line: running from the water meter to your home.

A service line is the small conduit from the main water line in the street to your home. Each service line has a water meter at the start of your private property. See the graphic below.

Resources

COSA

• Frequently asked questions

EPA

• EPA lead in drinking water information
• Proposed lead and copper rule improvements | US EPA (LCRI)
• Protect your tap: A quick check for lead | US EPA

CDC

• CDC Lead in Drinking Water

TCEQ

• Drinking Water Lead and Copper Program - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality