About the Project
The City of Bessemer City is providing you with this attached notification to comply with the Code of Federal Regulations 141.85(e)(1). In 1991, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a regulation to control lead and copper in drinking water. On November 30, 2023, the EPA announced the proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). The LCRI provides updated requirements for all water systems to prepare an inventory of the materials of each water service within the water system and to provide notification to customers if their water service is lead, galvanized steel, or if the material is unknown.
Again, the EPA requires all public water systems to prepare an inventory of all water service lines within their respective water system. The City of Bessemer City has been proactive with this requirement and the City is currently working to meet and/or exceed the requirements for the inventory. The City submitted the initial inventory on October 15th to the State. The City is now in the process of identifying the water service materials for the locations that are currently unknown. Until the City is able to identify the water service materials, the EPA and State require that a notification, attached to this letter, be sent to each customer that has a water service where the material of the service pipe is unknown.
Bessemer City currently utilizes Type K copper tubing for new and replacement water services within the City. Additionally, City staff have stated that they are not aware and don’t recall ever seeing a lead service line within the City’s water service area and to the staff’s knowledge, all services were installed with copper since 1986.
The City, as noted above, is in the process of visually verifying the materials for the service lines that are currently unknown. The City has hired a contractor to assist the City with performing this work. The work will begin soon and take several months to complete. The Contractor will be excavating an approximately 8-inch diameter hole about 18 inches from the water meter box above the water service line. This work will be performed on either one or both sides of the meter box, depending upon if a portion of the water service material is already known. The excavation will use compressed air and a large vacuum hose to remove the soil above the existing water service line and provide as small of a disturbance to the area as possible. Once the water service line is visible, the Contractor will identify the material, record the service material, and then refill the excavated area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why did I receive this notification?
Notifications are required as part of the Lead Service Line Inventory, per the US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to be sent to customers of a water system where the water service line material is currently unknown by the water system.
2. Will my water be interrupted during the visual verification?
No, work is being performed around the water meter box, but your water is not expected to be interrupted.
3. How long does the work take to perform?
The work at each property is anticipated to take 30 minutes or less.
4. Is this project related to other work around the City?
No, this project is required by the EPA and this project is completely independent of other work that is in progress around the City.
5. Will this work impact my water bill?
No, this work will not change your water bill. This project is funded primarily through grant funding, which the City was proactive in applying for to help fund this federally required inventory project.
6. What should I expect if verification work is performed at my address?
A pickup truck and trailer will park on the road in front of your water meter box. While one of the contractor’s staff is preparing to perform the work, another staff member will be taking photos of the existing water meter box and its position in your yard. The contractor’s staff will then use compressed air and a vacuum to excavate a hole about 8 inches in diameter approximately 18 inches away from the water meter box. Once the service line is uncovered, a photo will be taken of the pipe, identification of the pipe material will be made, and the information will be entered into a tablet or cell phone. The hole will then be refilled and grass seed will be placed upon the area before the crew moves to the next location. Depending upon existing data available for the water service lines, an excavation may occur on both sides of the water meter box or only on a single side.
7. When will the work be performed?
Work will likely begin around the middle to end of November. The crew(s) will typically work between the hours of 8-5 during normal workdays (Monday – Friday).
8. Can I find out the material of my water service line?
Yes, to obtain this information, please contact the City at (704) 629-5542. Depending upon who answers the phone, you may be transferred to another person. You will then verify your address, and the water service material can be provided to you. Please note that if the visual verification work has not been completed, or if the inventory is in the process of being updated, the material may still be noted as unknown.
9. What are the typical materials used for water services in Bessemer City?
Since approximately 1986 (and likely before this date), the City staff has used Type K copper tubing for water services that have been installed and replaced. At this time, the City is not aware of any existing water service lines being made of lead.
10. How long is the overall project?
The entire project is expected to take less than 6 months to complete.
11. I previously received a notification for a service line with an unknown material, but now I received one for a service line that is “Galvanized Requiring Replacement.” Why have I received two different notices?
The EPA and State require different notifications to be sent to water customers depending upon the specific material of the water service. Some materials, such as PVC, PEX, and copper tubing, do not require notifications to be sent. Initially, the City and all water systems within the State, had to submit an initial inventory to the State by October 15, 2024, even if the materials of the City’s water service lines were not yet known. The City was required to send notifications to customers at the service addresses where the materials were unknown. The City has been continuing to identify the materials that were unknown. The State and Federal requirements require that following identification of the service materials, if service lines are identified as “Galvanized Requiring Replacement,” a second notification is required to be sent to these physical addresses.
12. What is a service line that is identified as “Galvanized Requiring Replacement?”
Service lines are classified as “Galvanized Requiring Replacement” lines, if they meet criteria that was established by the EPA. These requirements are that a portion of the service line is made of a galvanized pipe and there is or could have been a lead service line upstream of this address within the water system. The City is currently not aware of any lead service lines being present within the City’s water distribution system but based upon the age of portions of the City’s water distribution system (constructed prior to 1986), there could have been lead service lines installed and/or lead connectors used in the initial construction of older sections of the distribution system.
13. Does this notice mean that I have lead in my water service line?
No, this notice does not mean that there is lead in your water service line. This notice, as noted above, is required due to a service line meeting the requirements for a notification to be sent, not that lead is present within the service line.
14. Should I do anything?
The City has mailed a letter and notification to addresses where a water service line was found during the City’s inventory efforts. This letter and notification provide information and things that you, as the customer, can do.
15. If I have recently replaced my line or if I believe my service line to be a different material, what should I do?
Please contact the City at the phone number listed within the letter and notification that was mailed to each address where a galvanized line identified as “Galvanized Requiring Replacement” was identified.
Questions?
If you need more information about this contract, please contact Operations and Special Projects Director, Jamie Ramsey at jramsey@bessemercity.com or by calling (704) 629-5542.