Greetings!
The City of Natchitoches is proud to announce the launch of the Lead Service Line Inventory program. Through the hard work of our engineering partner EJES and our Community Outreach and Grants Manager, Nicole Gray, we have secured funding through LDH to carry out this process. As mandated by the EPA, we are visiting every home and business to evaluate and test each water line for lead materials. For the next several months, workers will perform an inspection of your water meters and test the lines connecting to your water meters.
As we work collaboratively with all of our stakeholders, we are committed to providing continuous updates throughout the remainder of this process, with community meetings, mailouts and press releases to the public. You can also visit this site for regular updates to check the status of the project. If you have any immediate questions, please be sure to call 318-581-2910.
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
- You don't have to be home to receive an inspection.
- It doesn't cost you anything.
- The inventory process will probably take 4-6 months.
- You will be notified if lead materials are found at your location.
Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr.
+27
Years of
Experience
Experience
About the LCrR
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
The Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) aim to protect our community from the dangers of lead exposure in drinking water. This updated rule from the EPA enhances safety by implementing science-based testing protocols, requiring more thorough lead service line replacements, and mandating lead testing in schools and childcare facilities. By making lead service line locations public and ensuring proactive mitigation, the LCRR empowers our community with the information and actions needed to ensure safer, cleaner water for everyone.
- Why It's Important
In older homes and buildings, lead can reach from service lines, solder, and fixtures into tap water and become a significant source of lead exposure. In children, lead exposure can cause irreversible and life-long health effects, including decreasing IQ, focus, and academic achievement. EPA’s new Lead and Copper Rule strengthens regulatory requirements to better protect children and communities from lead in drinking water.
Project News and Updates
FAQ,s
A service line inventory is an EPA-mandated requirement for every water system to compile a list of all service line materials going from the water main into the building. Each community is responsible for collecting this data by way of historical record analysis and visual inspection of the service line.
Your service line is typically located near your water main shut-off valve. This is often found in your basement, crawl space, or garage.
There are various at home tests you can complete to assist with determining your material type. Your service line is likely made of either copper, galvanized steel, plastic, or lead. Plastic pipes are often black or blue and easily recognizable. You can grab a magnet and if it sticks to the pipe, it is likely galvanized steel as lead and copper are not magnetic. Another option is to complete a “scratch test” with a screwdriver and create a small scratch on the service line. If the scratch is shiny and copper in color, your line is made of copper. If it scratches easily and the scratch is shiny and silver, your line is made of lead.
The EPA has released guidance on the nationwide initiative, which can be found on their website. Your local water utility likely has more information on their website as well. If you run into issues finding more information, call your local water utility to learn more.
You were sent a survey to help verify the material type of the service line coming into the basement or crawl space of your home or business so that the water system can compile an inventory of all service line materials within the distribution community.
That is ok! Your water utility can use other methods and tests to investigate what your service line is made of. Your system will be in contact regarding your options.
Many water systems will be required to publish their service line inventory online. Check your system’s website first for results. Many systems will have a map based view where you can search by your physical address. If nothing is found online, contact your local water utility.
Your water system has likely partnered with a provider to provide sampling kits for the purposes of testing lead. Check out your water system’s website to find more information on how to obtain a kit.
Yes! Each state has received funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill for the sole purpose of replacing lead service lines. States also have revolving funds that can be tapped into in certain circumstances. Contact your local water system to learn more.
About EJES
EJES INCORPORATED (EJES) is a 100% owned African American multi-disciplined architecture, engineering, and environmental firm providing expertise and experience to government, public, and private sector clients. EJES is a minority-owned business enterprise and a small business administration (SBA) certified SDB company with offices in Dallas, Houston, and Port Arthur, Texas, Shreveport, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Jackson, Mississippi. EJES currently staffs over 50 professionals providing program management, architecture, interior, and engineering design, environmental consulting, value engineering, and construction management services to various municipalities and Federal agencies. EJES is currently working with the City of Natchitoches, LA, City of Mansfield, LA, Jefferson Parish, LA, St. Martinville, LA, and Port Arthur, TX on their LCRR Program.
