Lead and Copper Frequently Asked Questions

The Lead Free CLT lead reduction program is Charlotte Water’s effort to achieve compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule. These revisions include requirements for utilities to create andmaintainan inventory of water service lines in their service area, develop a lead sampling plan for all schools in the utility’s service area, and provide public education about the presence and effects of lead in drinking water.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recognizes the danger lead poses in drinking water. In 1991, the USEPA issued the Lead & Copper Rule mandating water systems adjust their water chemistry to control corrosion which would limit lead leaching into the water. As of December 2021, revisions and additional requirements have been added to the Lead and Copper Rule that must be complied to by October 16, 2024.Additionalinformation on the Lead and Copper Rule and the most recent revisions can be found at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/revised-lead-and-copper-rule.

A water service line is the pipe that connects the water main to an individual property, delivering water to its internal plumbing. The portion of the water service line that leads from the water main to the meter is maintained by Charlotte Water. The portion that leads from the meter to the residence is maintained by the property owner.

Water service lines often are accompanied by a short section of piping, typically not exceeding two feet, which can be bent and used for connections between rigid service piping. This is called a connector, goose neck or pigtail. Connectors, goose necks or pigtails are not considered to be part of a service line.

Charlotte is a younger city and is less likely to have lead water service lines (lead lines stopped being installed in the 1980s). A main goal of the Lead Free CLT is to determine if there are lead water service lines within Charlotte Water’s service area.

Charlotte Water is using predictive modeling to predict the location of water service lines requiring replacement. Water service line replacements will be prioritized according to building age and community need.

You will be contacted directly by Charlotte Water through a letter and/or a personal visit.

Charlotte Water will coordinate directly with your landlord if lead water service lines or other water service lines requiring replacement are found at an apartment complex. Contact your landlord with any concerns about lead exposure from the plumbing in your apartment building.

If you have performed a visual inspection and are still not sure about the material of your water service line, try the scratch and magnet test. If you are still unable to identify your water service line material call Charlotte’s 311 helpline or your local plumber.

Property owners are responsible for replacing their internal plumbing, faucets and fixtures. Certified lead-free pipes, faucets and fixtures purchased in 2014 or later do not carry any risk of lead.

Charlotte Water is distributing education materials to all customers participating in field investigation activities or water service line replacements. Additionally, information about the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions is included in the latest Water Quality Report. More information on the Lead and Copper rule can be found on the EPA’s website: epa.gov/dwreginfo/lead-and-copper-rule.

Replacing a lead water service line will lower your risk of exposure to lead in drinking water. There are potentially additional sources of lead in internal plumbing, which include lead pipes, lead solder on plumbing and older faucets/fixtures.

If your home contains lead solder on plumbing and older brass faucets/fittings, it is recommended to use a certified water filter. To determine the amount of lead in your drinking water use a lead sampling kit.

Homes built after 1986 are less likely to have lead water service lines. Additional sources of lead can include lead solder, brass faucets/fittings and galvanized steel pipes previously downstream of lead pipes. The most effective way to check for lead is by getting your water tested for lead through the purchase of a lead test kit.

Faucets and plumbing manufactured before 2014 can contain up to 8% lead even if considered “lead-free.” To avoid potential exposure to lead from your faucets and plumbing, replace older faucets and plumbing with those made in 2014 or later.

These qualities are not indicative of lead in your drinking water. Lead is odorless, tasteless and cannot be seen when dissolved in water.

Charlotte Water releases a yearly water quality report. Past and current water quality reports can be found at this link: https://www.charlottenc.gov/water/Water-Quality

Charlotte Water can test water from your home upon request. You can call 311 to request a sample kit and receive further instructions.

To minimize your lead exposure, use a pitcher filter certified to remove lead before drinking or cooking with tap water, and use cold tap water whenever possible for cooking and drinking.

Contact your doctor or local health care provider about a blood test for lead exposure or contact the health department in your municipality.

Yes. Bathing, showering and washing clothes are safe to do with lead-exposed water. Lead cannot be absorbed through human skin.

Lead is a naturally occurring metal that can be found throughout one’s environment, including in household plumbing fixtures, welding solder and pipe fittings made prior to 1986. Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing containing lead begins to corrode. Corrosion leading to lead exposure can become more severe when water has high acidity or low mineral content.

Lead pipes are more common in older cities. Charlotte is a relatively young city, with much of its development occurring in the past three decades (well after the original ban on lead plumbing legislation was passed in 1986), so Charlotte’s infrastructure is newer and includes more current water service line materials that do not contain lead. Additional sources of lead in water can include older brass faucets/fixtures, lead solder/connectors or galvanized steel pipes. The most effective way to check for lead in your drinking water is by getting your water tested for lead through the purchase of a lead test kit.

No level of lead is considered safe to consume.

Immediately stop using the water for drinking and cooking. Notify Charlotte Water via 311 (or a local plumber) and they can help identify potential sources of lead, including the presence of a lead water service line, old plumbing fixtures, faucets, etc.

Lead can be found in all parts of our environment – the air, soil, water and even inside our homes. Exposure to lead can come from paint, dust, gasoline, batteries, plumbing and even food.

Starting in 2020, Charlotte Water implemented a rigorous field investigation program following US EPA and NC DEQ standards and procedures. Charlotte Water used the data collected since then to build the water service line inventory (WSLI) that maps out each private and public service line for Charlotte Water customers.

The field investigation program involved a series of meter box inspections and non-invasive vacuum excavations to confirm existing service line materials. Charlotte Water will continue the field investigation program to further classify any unknown service lines left in the system and ensure accuracy of the WSLI for Charlotte Water’s customers.

Charlotte Water will provide all selected homeowners with a right of entry form prior to scheduling the field investigation work. This form grants Charlotte Water the right to enter the property for the purpose of assessing the owner’s water service line material and accurately reporting said material in the City’s Water Service Line Inventory. To access a copy of the right of entry form, click here.

Charlotte Water and its contractors will be conducting the field investigation on your property.

Crews will use vacuum excavation methods to expose the water service line on both sides of the water meter. They will test the material of the water service line and record the results. Restoration will occur as needed.

No. Your water will remain on while the field investigation takes place.

Investigation activities will take no more than one day once contractors haveinitiatedthe water service line investigation. You will be notified of the results at the end of the investigation by Charlotte Water field staff or contractors.

Charlotte Water will not need to enter your home. All field activities will occur outside the home, typically in the yard or street.

No. Charlotte Water will not be conducting any work that has potential to damage your home.

If the field staff causes a leak to your water service line, then Charlotte Water will replace the water service line. If a leak occurs after the field staff has left the property, please contact 311. If field staff identifies a preexisting leak in your water service line, the line will not be replaced.

Yes. Any damage to your property will be restored as close as possible to its original condition.

Yes. If selected for field investigation, Charlotte Water will contact you with pertinent information and the opportunity to accept or decline access to your property for this activity.

No. Charlotte Water has strategically selected your home for investigation. Knowledge of your water service line material will improve predictions of your neighbor’s water service line materials.

If lead is found in the portion of the water service line owned by Charlotte Water, that portion will be replaced.

If your water service line is identified as a non-lead material, your water is safe to drink. If your water service line is found to be lead or galvanized pipe requiring replacement, a pitcher filter will be provided to you by Charlotte Water. The pitcher will remove any traces of lead that may be in the water.

Children and pregnant people are most at risk from exposure to lead. Children can experience developmental issues and learning disorders from lead exposure. Pregnant people can suffer from miscarriages and premature births.

Charlotte Water will contact you directly with the results.

Yes. After all surveys have been completed within Charlotte Water’s service area, the results will be made publicly available.

To minimize your lead exposure, use the pitcher filter provided by Charlotte Water. It is also recommended to use cold tap water whenever possible for cooking and drinking.