Leesburg launches Service Line Compliance Campaign

In response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, the Town of Leesburg has launched the Service Line Compliance Campaign, a comprehensive program aimed at complying with the new regulations.

The revised rule outlines a framework through which all utilities in the country must implement safeguards to protect communities from lead exposure in drinking water, including creating a public database of service line materials.

Service lines are the part of the water distribution system that connects the water main to the residence, running from the water main in the street to the water meter near the property line, and then from the water meter to the residence. A service line is typically found in the basement or crawlspace of a residence, where the water pipe enters the home. As Virginia banned the use of lead in the construction of service lines in 1979—and its use was limited in prior years—it is unlikely that many lead service lines will be found in the Town’s water system.

The Town of Leesburg has launched an online Campaign webpage that serves as a one-stop destination for customers. This webpage includes important information about the Campaign, valuable educational outreach and resources, and the self-reporting survey.

A major component of the Campaign is an online survey to identify service lines listed as being made from an unknown material.

“We need our residents to help us comply with the upcoming EPA deadline,” stated Utilities Director Amy Wyks. “The goal of launching the Service Line Compliance Campaign is to ensure we have a robust inventory of the service lines connected to our system.”

Only customers that have unknown service lines will be notified by the Town—either electronically or via traditional mail—and asked to fill out and submit the survey. A map on the Campaign webpage allows customers to see the categorization of their service line. If listed as “unknown,” they will be directed to take the survey.

Leesburg has been testing lead levels in the drinking water since 1991 and they have remained well below regulatory limits, thanks to the Town’s proactive corrosion control measures at its treatment facility.

“We are confident that our water quality results positively reflect our proactive stance on water safety,” stated Wyks. “Our goal remains not just to meet but to exceed regulatory standards, and ensure that our utility customers have access to water that surpasses quality expectations.”

The Town’s Service Line Compliance Campaign is a multi-faceted approach to the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, encompassing both community engagement and transparency. To that end, customers are encouraged to explore the dedicated webpage to learn more about the Campaign and compliance goals.

For more information on the Service Line Compliance Campaign, please visit leesburgva.gov/myserviceline.