Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Monroe Water Resources Department is required to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule. Such revisions require utilities to maintain an inventory of water service lines within their service area, create a lead sampling plan for all schools in the utility’s service area, and provide public education regarding the presence and hazards associated with lead in drinking water.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes the danger lead poses in drinking water. In 1991, the USEPA issued the Lead & Copper Rule mandating that water systems adjust their water chemistry to control corrosion, which would limit lead leaching into the water. 

As of December 2021, revisions and additional requirements were included in the Lead and Copper Rule that utilities were required to comply with by October 16, 2024. See additional information on the Lead and Copper Rule and the most recent revisions. 

A water service line is a pipe that connects the City’s water main to a property, providing drinking water to the internal plumbing. The section of water service line from the water main to the meter is maintained by the City of Monroe. The section of pipe from the meter to the residence is maintained by the property owner.

Public and private service lines are often connected by a short section of piping, less than two (2) feet in length, which is formed to connect two rigid sections of piping. This section of piping is known as a connector, gooseneck, or pigtail. These sections are not considered part of a water service line.

The City of Monroe has not identified any lead water service lines at this time. The City of Monroe Water Resources Department has primarily used Copper for service lines for many decades.

The City of Monroe hired Garver Engineering to assist with our lead service line inventory. Staff utilized predictive modeling, records, water system data and GIS mapping to assist with the process. It was determined there are over 6,000 service lines that must be checked by City of Monroe staff. Water service line replacements are prioritized according to the building age. The City of Monroe is not responsible for replacing the private service line. 

Staff will inspect the service line material on the public and private side of the meter box. Staff will use a shovel or vacuum excavation equipment to expose the service lines. All soil and materials will be placed back in the excavated area.

Affected customers will be contacted directly by letters and/or a personal visit from staff, visiting your address to inspect the water service line at or near the water meter box. 

The City of Monroe Water Resources will communicate with your property owner if lead service lines were identified or require replacement. Contact your Property Manager if you have any questions about possible lead exposure from the plumbing within your apartment. 

Property owners are responsible for replacing their internal plumbing fixtures. 

Educational materials will be mailed to all customers participating in field inspections or that have service lines requiring replacement. Additional information on the Lead and Copper Rule can be found on our website and by visiting the following webpages:

Lead Service Line Information

LSLR Collaborative: Lead in Water and Full Lead Service Line Replacement Fact Sheet

Health Information on Lead in Drinking Water

EPA: Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water

CDC: Preventing Childhood Lead Poisoning

EPA: Revised Lead and Copper Rule