NKY Water District: Be on the lookout for material line notification cards

Northern Kentucky Water District customers should be on the lookout for post cards in the mail informing them of the material of their water service lines.

The notifications are part of the water district’s updated materials inventory, which is occurring in response to revisions in the EPA’s lead and copper pipe rule, which began in 1991 with the aim of reducing the amount of lead and copper in drinking water service lines.

This rule was revised under both the Trump and Biden administrations, and the water district spent the last couple months collecting information on service lines in their coverage area. The notifications now being sent out aim to inform customers if there are any lead or other potentially hazardous materials in their service lines.

“These notifications will alert the owner whether their service line material is lead, galvanized downstream from lead, or unknown material, which we have to consider as lead until we know otherwise,” said Water District President and CEO Lindsey Rechtin. “It will also provide additional resources and information about lead for our customers.”

The service line connects a property owner’s privately-owned pipe networks to public infrastructure. The portion of the water line from the public water main to the meter belongs to the water district. The rest belongs to the property owner, who is responsible for updating any materials therein. For meters found inside, the water district is responsible for any pipes up to the either the curb stop or property line if there is no curb stop.

“When water leaves NKWD’s treatment plants, it does not contain lead. The potential for lead in drinking water is primarily from possible leaching from your building’s plumbing and service lines,” said Rechtin. “We are required to provide treatment that minimizes the corrosivity of the water. We do this by adjusting the pH and using a safe additive, a corrosion inhibitor, that protects the pipe material and helps lower the potential for lead to be released into the water.”

Check out sample post cards for various materials below. You can also consult the water district’s service line map below, where you can input your address to find out your service line material.

Learn more by visiting nkywater.org/servicelinemap, or by contacting the water district directly at (859) 578-5451 or SLI@nkywater.org.