- determine if any areas are at risk for lead contamination
- educate impacted customers on how to minimize the risk of lead exposure,
- work to secure funding to assist customers with replacing service lines that are identified as lead or galvanized requiring replacement.
- Related Regulations about Service Lines
How You Can Help
In the past, MABT has not collected complete information regarding the customer portions of service lines and plumbing. MABT is asking for your cooperation by providing us with information on your service line and plumbing. Please complete ourservice line questionnaire. While the water leaving the treatment plant is free of lead, lead can enter the water as it moves through leaded service lines and plumbing containing leaded solder. Our goal is to identify these locations, educate our impacted customers, and secure funding to remove any leaded service lines in our system. You will not be forced to replace a lead service line at your cost.Additional information about Lead and Testing
How to Identify "Service Line Information"
A service line is the line that is connected from the water main to each individual home or business.
- Our Customers own and maintain the portion of the service line from the curb to their home or business.
- MABT is responsible for the portion of service line connected from the main to the curb.
The inventory is required for the customer-owned elements of the line:
- between the Curb Stop and the building
- inside the building, e.g. the Premise Plumbing
Scratch/Magnet Test to Determine Service Line Material
How to Determine the Material of Your Service Line: Scratch/Magnet Test
To conduct this test you will need a flathead screwdriver & magnet.
- Locate the water service line coming into the building, which is typically in the basement. A water meter is installed on the pipe after the point of entry.
- Identify a test area on the pipe between where it comes into your home and the water meter. If the pipe is covered or wrapped, expose a small area of metal.
- Use the flat edge of a screwdriver or other similar tool to scratch through any corrosion that may have built up on the outside of the pipe.
- If the scraped area is shiny and silver, your service line is lead. A magnet will not stick to a lead pipe.
- If the scraped area is copper in color, like a penny, your service line is copper. A magnet will not stick to a copper pipe.
- If the scraped area remains a dull gray, and a magnet sticks to the surface, your service line is galvanized steel.
If you need assistance determining the material of your service line, please call our office at 724-295-2703 to schedule a free appointment.
Ways to Mitigate the Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water
Flush your Pipes
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The Municipal Authority of Buffalo Township is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. To prevent wasting water, use the discarded water to water plants or keep a pitcher of water in the fridge to decrease the number of times needed to flush the pipes.
Only Cook with Cold Water
Lead dissolves more easily in hot water; therefore, do not use hot water from the tap for cooking, drinking or mixing baby formula.
Use a Water Filter
If you have lead plumbing or are concerned about lead exposure, the CDC recommends running your tap water through a filter certified by NSF for lead reduction. https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/listings_leadreduction.asp
Lead in Drinking Water: Effects and Testing
Sources of Lead
Lead is rarely found in natural bodies of water such as rivers or lakes. Leaving the water
treatment plant, water is lead-free. Travelling through leaded pipes or plumbing with leaded
solder, water can absorb the lead. Through a chemical reaction called corrosion, water reacts
with the pipes, causing them to break down, dissolving lead into the water.
Although lead pipes and solder were banned in 1991, some homes built before the 1940’s may
have leaded service lines. Lead service lines, plumbing, soldering or faucets can all be sources
of lead contamination.
Galvanized steel can also contribute to lead contamination. It can absorb particles from lead
connectors or goosenecks upstream of the service line, and release it into the water years later.
Physical effects of lead exposure
The wide-ranging physical effects of lead include brain, kidney, and red blood cell production
damage. Effects on children are especially pronounced. Children exposed to lead can experience
slowed growth and development, learning and behavioral issues, and hearing and speech
problems. The blood lead level considered safe in children is currently zero. Long term
neurological issues can develop from even low levels of lead exposure.
Lead Testing
- Plumbing Testing. If you are concerned that any soldering, pipes, or fixtures within your home plumbing contain lead, the EPA has a list of certified lead testing kits that can swab any object to detect lead.
https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-test-kits - Water Testing. If you find that your portion of the service line or plumbing contains lead, you can test your water for lead.
- Blood Testing. If you believe you or any children have been exposed to lead from drinking water, any primary care provider can administer a blood lead level test.