IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

Ironton Failed to Develop an Initial Service Line Inventory

July 2, 2025

Our water system recently violated a drinking water requirement. As our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation.

We were required to develop and make publicly available an initial inventory of service lines connected to our distribution system by October 16, 2024. Our system failed to submit this initial inventory of service lines to the ohio epa by October 16, 2024. The inventory must identify the service line materials as lead galvanized requiring replacement (GRR)[1], lead-status unknown/unknown, or non-lead. Identifying and ultimately removing lead and GRR service lines is an important way to protect public health.

There is the potential your service line could be made of lead or contain lead. People living in homes with service lines that are made of or contain lead have an increased risk of exposure to lead from their drinking water.

*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. *

[1] A galvanized requiring replacement service line is a galvanized service line that is or was potentially downstream of a lead service line.

What should I do?

Listed below are some steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead:

  • Learn what your service line material is. Contact us at 740-532-3412 or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials. Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead is the EPA’s online step by step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home (epa.gov/pyt).
  • Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Unless your service line is not made of lead or galvanizedyou should be aware of any nearby construction or maintenance work that could disturb the line. Ground tremors from construction may suddenly cause more lead to be released from lead or galvanized service lines in the area.
  • Use your filter properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, make sure you use a filter certified to remove lead. Read the directions to learn how to properly install and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter.
  • Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and 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.
  • Use cold water. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Remember, boiling water does not remove lead from water.
  • Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, and the length of the lead service line. Residents should contact their water utility for recommendations about flushing times in their community.
  • Have your water tested. Contact your water utility to have your water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water.

What does this mean?

Service line inventories are the foundation from which water systems take action to address a significant source of lead in drinking water. Establishing an inventory of service line materials and identifying the location of lead and GRR service lines is a key step in getting them replaced and protecting public health.
Typically, lead enters water supplies by leaching from lead pipes, brass faucets, plumbing with leaded solder, and other plumbing components containing lead. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead services lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Lead pipes are more likely to be found in older cities and homes built before 1986. Service lines made of galvanized iron or steel that are (or were previously) downstream of lead service lines are classified as galvanized requiring replacement (GRR) because galvanized service lines that are or ever were downstream from an LSL can adsorb lead and contribute to lead in drinking water. Identifying and ultimately removing lead and GRR service lines is an important way to protect public health.

What is being done?

We are currently working on putting together lead service line inventory map and expect to return to compliance by 1/1/2026

For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s Web site at http://www.epa.gov/lead or contact your health care provider.

For more information, please contact Erin Edens at 7405323412 or 400 South Front Street.

*Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. *

This notice is being sent to you by the city of Ironton. Public Water System ID#: 4400711.

Date distributed:

7/1/2025