As part of the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), all public water utilities are required to inform customers annually if the material of their water service line is lead, galvanized requiring replacement (GRR), or unknown may contain lead, until the actual material is determined.
What is a Water Service Line
To better define what a water service line is, it is the piping running from the public water main (typically in the roadway) to your home, supplying your home with water service. The public side of the service line runs from the water main to the water meter, and the private side of the service line runs from the water meter to the home.
Lead Service Line Inventories
Goochland County has completed the required Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) for the Goochland Courthouse and the East End public water systems. No public service lines on either water system are determined as Lead or Galvanized Requiring Replacement.
We did, however, identify approximately 300 water service lines for which the line materials could not be verified. These are classified as Unknown. In accordance with EPA & VDH requirements, the County must now perform a statistical study of these Unknown Service Lines to better determine the materials used in their construction. The results of this study will determine the next steps, if any, that the County must take as part of the LCRR requirements.
Goochland County purchases its water from Henrico County and the Department of Corrections who utilize water treatment processes, such as corrosion inhibitors and pH adjustments, to prevent lead exposure to customers who may have a lead service line. The Department of Public Utilities is committed to providing the highest quality water to our customers, and we take pride in the water service provided to you. Our water is routinely and rigorously tested for compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, including lead and copper testing. These results are published yearly in the Consumer Confidence Report.
For questions, concerns, or to provide information on your service line, please contact Rachel Tripp at 804-657-2034, rtripp@goochlandva.us or complete the Customer Self-Report form listed below.
Customer Self-Report
Goochland County is committed to identifying all service line materials. As a customer, there are steps you can take to help with this process. By completing this self-report form, you can work to identify that material of your service line and help us with our inventory.
Opportunities to Verify Lead Service Materials
Go to Protect Your Tap: A Quick Check for Lead can help you learn where your drinking water comes from, check the pipes that bring water into your home, reduce exposure to lead, and find resources about certified laboratories to get drinking water tested for lead. https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/protect-your-tap-quick-check-lead-0
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 exposure to lead in drinking water, for properties with lead service lines:
Run your water before use. Daily, allow the water to run at the tap for 5 minutes to flush water through the service line and plumbing in the house before using it for drinking or cooking. Taking a shower, running the dishwasher or flushing the toilet will also flush your lines.
Use cold water for drinking, cooking and preparing baby formula. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Do not use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula.
Clean your aerator. Regularly 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.
Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water does not remove lead.
Obtain an NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) Certified home water treatment device that is certified to remove lead.
Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead and any copper piping with lead solder.
Check home wiring. Water service lines are sometimes used to ground electrical lines. The wiring in your home or building may be attached to your water service line or elsewhere in your plumbing. If you have a lead service line, this can accelerate its corrosion. Have a licensed electrician check your wiring.
Get your child tested. Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child’s blood tested for lead if you are concerned about exposure.