News

City of Dahlonega Lead and Copper Rule Program

October 16, 2024

News Release

City of Dahlonega Lead and Copper Rule Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dahlonega Water Customers to Receive Notifications About EPA Program on Outdated Water Service Lines

The City of Dahlonega is notifying certain customers within the service area via mail of action required to either verify or replace their water service lines. A service line is the water pipe that connects a home to the public water main and conveys water from the main to the faucets, toilets, and other fixtures within a home.  Only customers who have a water service line whose material is unknown, or is known to require replacement, will receive letters. Resources available to help identify the material of a water service line– or to initiate replacement of the lines – are available at the City’s website , along with other related information.

The notifications are part of a program developed in response to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) evolving Lead and Copper Rule that requires all utilities to replace all water service lines made of lead and some made of galvanized iron. Much of the language used in the notifications is required by EPA to inform the public on the potential dangers of lead in drinking water and could cause concern among customers.

Dahlonega would like to assure customers that should they receive one of these notifications there is no need to panic. A lead water pipe does not necessarily mean there is lead in the drinking water. Dahlonega uses corrosion control measures to protect against lead leaching into drinking water as it travels through the distribution system.

“We are contacting our customers to alert them that action is required on their part to help us comply with EPA regulations,” said Dahlonega’s City Manager, Allison Martin. “If you receive a letter, all the resources you need to figure out what it’s made of or to replace your water service line are available on our website. If you do not have access to the internet, you can also reach us at 706-864-6133 for assistance.” 

“Identifying outdated materials is the first step toward removing them from the water distribution system,” said Martin. “But we also want the community to know that lead levels in -Dahlonega’s water are not a public health concern. Our state banned the installation of lead water service lines in the 1980s, and corrosion control methods mitigate the risk from any outdated pipes that may remain in service.”

Notifications will be sent to customers starting in November 2024. For more information about the USEPA Lead and Copper Rule and Dahlonega’s program visit the City’s website.

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