Lead and Copper Rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Lead and Copper Rule in 1988 to reduce lead and copper contamination in drinking water. This rule has undergone multiple revisions since it was initially published. More recently, the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (2021) (LCRR) and proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (2023) (LCRI) strengthen protections against potential lead exposure through drinking water. All water systems in the U.S., including the City of Paris, are required to take new actions related to the new rules.

The City, with Garver USA, submitted a Initial Service Line Inventory (ISLI) to and received approval from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) ahead of the October 16, 2024 deadline.

How the City of Paris is keeping lead out of the water

The City of Paris meets all of the EPA standards for lead in water and continues to be well below the state and federal action levels for lead. The City protects drinking water quality for all customers and actively minimizes any risk of lead. The City has a Superior Public Water System rating from the TCEQ, which regulates metal contaminants, including lead and copper, in our drinking water.

Sources of Lead

There is no lead in the water sources used by the City of Paris, including Pat Mayse Lake and Lake Crook. There is also no lead in our treated drinking water. However, lead can enter water through corroding plumbing materials found in water service lines and home plumbing. Some common sources of lead can include pipes, solder, brass plumbing fixtures, faucets, and pipe fittings. These lead sources are more likely to be found in homes built before 1986.

Possible sources of lead in drinking water inside your home include:

• Copper pipe with lead solder - solder made or installed before 1986 contained high lead levels.
• Faucets or fixtures inside your home may contain lead.
• Galvanized pipe - lead particles can attached to the lead pipes. Over time, the particles can enter your drinking water, causing elevated lead levels.
• Lead service line - The service line is the pipe that runs from the water main to the home's internal plumbing. Lead service lines can be a major source of lead contamination in water.
• Lead good necks - Goose necks and pigtails are shorter pipes that connect the lead service line to the main.

Understanding your water service plumbing

Service lines are the water line connections from the water main, to the water meter and from the water meter to the home or business. It is the shared responsibility of both the City and property owners to protect from lead in drinking water. While there are few potential lead sources, Paris takes additional proactive steps to identify and replace lead piping on the public side of the service line. Nonetheless, the City is not responsible for the private piping inside your home that connects to your water meter. 

The Public Side of the service line, from the water main to the meter, is owned by the City. The Private Side of the service line, from the meter to the home or business, belongs to the property owner. The ISLI considers both the Public and Private sides of a service line. The ISLI lists service lines as one of four categories; plastic, lead, galvanized requiring replacement (GRR), or lead status unknown (LSU). The LCRI includes a 10-year timeline for the completion of the Service Line Inventory and the replacement of any lead and galvanized lines found as part of this effort. Property owners are responsible for maintaining the private portion of the service line, including replacing any lead plumbing inside their premises.

What the City of Paris is doing to comply with EPA’s recently adopted LCRR and to eliminate potential public lead service lines:

• Completed the Initial Lead Service Line inventory and submitted to TCEQ
• Systematically inspecting any service lines listed as lead status unknown to update the inventory
• Preparing a plan for sampling water at all schools serviced by the City
• Preparing a plan for sampling water at all licensed daycares serviced by the City
• Preparing a plan for galvanized service lines needing replacement

Removing Lead Sources

Lead sources are often found on the property owner’s side of the meter. However, a good strategy to protect against lead is to identify and replace potential sources of lead on private property. A plumber can advise on the type of pipes in your home.

Testing and Minimizing Exposure

If you think your home’s plumbing and fixtures may contain lead, testing can identify whether lead has leached into your water.

You can search for TCEQ accredited environmental laboratories here.

TCEQ offers free sampling and analysis for lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. Find out more here.

To reduce exposure to lead, you can also:

• Flush your home’s pipes by running the tap (1-2 minutes), doing laundry or doing a load of dishes
• Use only cold water for drinking or cooking
• Clean faucet screens or aerators
• Use a filter certified to remove lead

Additional Information

Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or epa.gov/safewater/lead.