Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) Program

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management is committed to providing our customers with clean and reliable drinking water for all customers. DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management is working diligently with its customers to identify the material of their services lines. A service line is a water pipe connected to the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management water main found within the street and provides water to your home.  In accordance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) and the State of Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s (Georgia EPD) guidelines, the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management must identify all lead service lines within our water system.  

Background

Due to United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), water utility companies across the nation must identify all the service lines within their water system. To meet this requirement, DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management is launching their Service Line Inventory Program. Like other water systems within the state of Georgia, the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management system has older homes and buildings that may have lead and galvanized steel service lines. Galvanized steel service lines may contain lead, as well. These service lines are small, buried pipes that carry water from the water main in the street to buildings. As water flows through these lead or galvanized steel lines, the corrosion of the pipe can add lead into the treated water delivered to customers. Therefore, the existing lead service lines, lead solder in indoor plumbing, and lead in some older plumbing fixtures are the causes of lead in customers’ drinking water.  

Exposure to high levels of lead is a serious health risk. Lead builds up in the body over many years and can cause damage to the brain, red blood cells, and kidneys. Those at the greatest risk of exposure include young children, pregnant women, and unborn babies.  

The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has been working with the community to reduce their lead exposure. To date, the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has taken the following actions:  

• The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management tests the water within our system regularly in accordance with the Georgia EPD regulations. 
• The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management reports our results on our annual Water Quality Report.  
• The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management provides corrosion control treatment to reduce leaching of lead into the water from pipes, solder, and plumbing fixtures.  

The following links covers:  

• Service Line Ownership 
• Check Your Line
• Report Your Service Line
• Service Line Identification Tips 
• Test Your Water 
• Service Line Inspection Program 
• Lead Health Information 
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)