City of Augusta Asking Residents to Collect Data on Lead Service Lines

Friday, March 1st, 2024 -- 11:01 AM

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) as well as the WI-DNR (Department of Natural Resources) requires that the City of Augusta inventory all customer-side water service material types to determine how many lead services they have in the system.

Until this point, reporting has been voluntary, and data has been gathered by Augusta utility staff as they enter a home to replace a water meter. As of October 2024, they will be required to report this information to the WI-DNR and EPA.

Galvanized and lead pipes can look similar, but galvanized is magnetic. A magnet will adhere to a galvanized pipe but will not adhere to lead, plastic, or copper. Lead is a dull gray metal that is soft enough to be easily scratched with a house key and a lead water service typically has an oval bulb.

Augusta residents, please email a picture of your water service line prior to the water meter to [email protected]. If you are unsure or do not have the ability to send a picture, please call the Augusta Water Utility at (715) 286-2555 to schedule a home visit.

The Augusta Water Utility will also be going door to door to collect this information. When sending information to the City include:

• Property Address,
• Material type,
• Build date of house,
• Do you use a water softener or filter system,
• And date plumbing was installed.

If you would like more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/lead-and-copper-rule.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.