JACKSON, Wyo. — According to the Town of Jackson (TOJ), the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mandating that all public water systems nationwide inventory water service lines and pipes, specifically checking for any that could be made of or have been previously connected to lead.
A TOJ press release says that exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Because of this, the Town’s Public Works team has been inventorying water pipes throughout Town over the last three years to determine pipe material and confirm that the system does not contain lead.
“After that extensive work, there are still about 1,145 properties where the water pipe material is unknown or that have galvanized pipes that may have previously been connected to lead,” TOJ writes.
To meet EPA requirements, those properties where Public Works cannot determine water pipe material or if pipes have been identified as galvanized received two letters from the Town. The TOJ emphasizes that these letters are not a notice of lead in the water; the EPA requires specific language be included in these letters about the negative health impacts of lead.
The first letter, which TOJ says most recipients received, shares that property owners’ pipe material is “unknown.” Anyone that received this letter should fill out the survey linked in the letter through the QR code provided on the latter and share pictures of their water pipe coming into their water meter. If anyone is unable to determine the water pipe’s material, indicate that on the survey and a Public Works employee will reach out to verify water pipe material.
The second letter, which TOJ says went to a much smaller group of property owners, highlights that Public Works is aware those property’s pipes are galvanized, which means they might have previously been connected to lead. The Town recommends property owners that received this letter test their water and share the results with Public Works. Test kits are available here.
The TOJ states that it is unlikely that anyone in the community has concerning levels of lead in their water pipes, but it is important to complete necessary requirements to ensure this is the case. For those who did not receive a letter about their property, this does not pertain to those water pipes and no action is required.
