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Lead and Copper Program
The City of Brownwood is committed to providing safe and reliable drinking water to its residents. Since the initiation of the EPA’s lead and copper monitoring program, Brownwood has consistently maintained lead levels well below the action threshold, never exceeding the regulatory limits. Lead is not typically found in source water but can leach into it over time due to the corrosion of pipes, solder, fixtures, and fittings.
Through effective replacement of steel and galvanize service lines, Brownwood has successfully safeguarded public health.. This success has allowed for a reduced monitoring schedule, reflecting our strong management of water quality. Furthermore, comprehensive field investigations have confirmed the absence of lead in service lines within the water system, further ensuring low levels of lead in our drinking water.
The City of Brownwood’s Water Department has determined that the city’s water distribution system has no lead or galvanized required replacement service lines. The City of Brownwood has made this determination from permit documents, workorders, maps, historical records, and visual inspections For more information or for further explanation, please contact the Utility Superintendent.
CITY OF BROWNWOOD WATER SYSTEM
SERVICE LINE IDENTIFICATION PERCENTAGE - 100%
Summary of Service Line Categories
- Lead - 0%
- GRR - 0%
- Non-Lead - 100%
- Unknown - 0%
- Service Line Replacements - 0
Updated Lead & Copper Rule
On December 16, 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Revised Lead and Copper Rule to strengthen regulations on lead in drinking water. A significant requirement is for utilities to create an inventory of both utility-owned and customer-owned service lines, which must be made public by October 16, 2024. Following EPA guidelines, the City of Brownwood has developed service line inventory of approximately 8,000 connections. The process for collecting the information for this inventory assisted department personnel in ensuring that the City has no lead or galvanized required replacement service lines.
- What is lead?
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Lead is a naturally occurring metal that can be harmful if ingested or inhaled.
- What are the risks of lead exposure?
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Lead exposure can lead to health issues such as:
- Increases blood pressure in adults
- Developmental delays in infants and young children
- Reduced attention span, hearing, and learning abilities in children
- How does lead get into my drinking water?
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Lead is rarely present in source or treated water. If found, it usually comes from the corrosion of pipes, fixtures, and plumbing materials. Factors like mineral content, water movement, pH, and temperature affect how much lead may dissolve into the water.
- Is my home at risk for lead plumbing?
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High-risk homes include those with:
- Lead service lines
- Copper pipes with lead solder built before 1988
- Lead pipes
- Older brass fixtures may contain lead
- How can I find out if my home has lead plumbing?
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Lead cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled, so testing is the only way to confirm its presence in water. Brownwood residents at risk can have their drinking water tested. For more information, call 325-646-6000.
- What if my service line contains lead?
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If your service line is suspected to contain lead, copper, or galvanized steel, you'll receive a certified letter with further details. You can also contact a licensed plumber to assess or work on your plumbing. Brownwood residents at risk of lead exposure can have their water tested.
- How could I be exposed to lead?
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Lead exposure is most often from old lead-based paint, banned in homes since 1978. It can also be present in household plumbing and water service lines. The EPA estimates 10-20% of lead exposure may come from drinking water.