Overview
The Montgomery County Public Service Authority (PSA) and the Public Works Departments within the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg are implementing the Service Line Discovery Program in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). The rule requires all utility services to create an inventory of utility and private service lines by October 2024. This mandate affects all utility (public and private) services throughout the country and contains a variety of communication requirements, including public outreach. According to the EPA, the goal of this program is to identify and protect against lead exposure in the United States.
Current Service Line Recovery System Status
- As of July 1, 2024, Montgomery County has 3,398 active PSA water customers.
- PSA staff members are currently compiling an inventory of lines and have verified 1,466 lead-free lines, as of July 1, 2024.
- At this time, the PSA has 1,932 lines left to be confirmed as lead-free. On the inventory list, these are called “unknowns." Staff is working to assess these remaining lines and anticipate completion of this project by the October 2024 deadline.
- The verification process consists of evaluating the service lines at each individual site.
- In a situation where lead is found, a replacement plan would be coordinated with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
Is my water safe?
- Yes. Montgomery County’s water quality continuously exceeds federal and state standards and lead levels are well below regulatory requirements per regular and ongoing water sample testing.
- Water provided to Montgomery County PSA customers is safe to drink. The water is also safe bathe in.
- Lead service lines have been prohibited in Virginia plumbing code since 1979.
- Service line inventory records show there are no known lead service lines in the towns’ and county’s water system.
- As a result, it’s unlikely lead service lines will be found in the Montgomery County PSA distribution systems. Impact – if any – will be minimal and those customers will be notified by PSA staff.
How will this impact PSA Customers?
- There is no action required by PSA customers at this time, nor do we anticipate the need for action by PSA customers throughout this process.
- The verification process consists of evaluating the service lines at each individual site.
- We anticipate impacts – if any – will be minimal given the fact that the water samples consistently exceed federal and state standards. In addition, lead service lines have been prohibited in Virginia plumbing code since 1979, which predates a significant number of the lines servicing the PSA’s active water customers. However, should there be a situation where lead is found, a replacement plan would be coordinated with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).