FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tamaqua Area Water Authority Conducting Water Service Line Inventory

[Tamaqua, Pennsylvania] – The Tamaqua Area Water Authority is conducting an inventory of all drinking water service lines.These are the small underground pipes that convey drinking water from large drinking water mains in the street into your home.

In compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, the Tamaqua Area Water Authority is working to identify the location and material of all drinking water service lines by October 16, 2024. By inventorying all drinking water service lines, the Tamaqua Area Water Authority will be able to identify which of these service lines were previously installed using lead materials and then target those specific lead service lines for replacement. To limit disturbances to homeowners Tamaqua Area Water Authority staff will be identifying the material of the service line as it enters a house whenthey are completing interior work, such as reading water meters.Service lines may need to be exposed in order to verify the material, but the Tamaqua Area Water Authority is working to minimize those circumstances.

The Tamaqua Area Water Authority has been selected to participate in EPA’s Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerator Program, which provides free, direct Technical Assistance to facilitate support in developing the required water service line inventory and planning for the removal of any lead water service lines identified.

The Tamaqua Area Water Authority supplies water services for all or part of the Borough of Tamaqua, Rush Township, West Penn, Walker, and Schuylkill Township.

Exposure to lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. For more information about lead in drinking water go to https://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. For more information about the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/revised-lead-and-copper-rule.