Lead Service Line Information

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Overview

The City of San Luis Obispo is committed to providing safe drinking water to all of its community members by following all Federal and State regulations. The State Water Resources Control Board, in alignment with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), enforces the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). The US EPA recently made changes to the LCR with the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).

To ensure public water systems are reducing lead exposure to their customers, the US EPA is requiring all large public water purveyors to complete a Lead Service Line Inventory (LSL Inventory). The objective of the LSL Inventory is to determine if there are any lead pipes in the water distribution system on both the public (City) and private (Customer) portions of the system. The initial inventory must be completed and submitted by October 16, 2024.

What is a Water Service Line?

A water service line is the smaller pipe that supplies water from the City's main distribution line to the customer's structure. The City operates and maintains the pipe from the main up to and including the water meter. The customer's responsibility begins after the water meter and all the pipe downstream going towards the privately owned structure/land. Water service lines can be made up of several materials such as lead, galvanized steel, copper, or polyethylene (plastic).

A graphic showing the underground water pipes that the City of San Luis Obispo owns and which ones Property owners own.

Material Identification Details & Replacement Recommendations

Beginning on January 1, 1986, California Health and Safety Code section 300.6 banned the use of lead solder and lead pipe in the construction of private and public potable water supply systems. Any construction occurring from January 1, 1986 to present can be assumed to not contain lead piping and fittings.

Historically, lead service lines were smaller in size. Therefore, if a service line is 4-inches in diameter or greater, the service line can also be considered non-lead. For all service lines smaller than three inches in diameter, City staff have conducted inspections through development plan review or on-site to identify service line material types on both the City-owned and privately-owned sections of the service line. Through the lead service line identification project the City did not locate any City-owned or privately-owned service lines that were constructed of lead materials. However, some houses may have a service line that is comprised of several material types that could result in the City’s database requiring an update. If a community member identifies a section of privately-owned service line that is constructed of lead material, the City would appreciate notification so we can provide information to the customer regarding replacement options for replacement of this service line.

Per EPA regulations, the City has also flagged properties that have galvanized steel privately owned service lines that may have been downstream of lead in the past. Per the EPA, these service lines should be treated as lead and are recommended for replacement.

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Routine Lead and Copper Sampling

The City of San Luis Obispo regularly samples the water supply system for lead and copper to ensure compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule. This includes a voluntary residential testing program every three years. The most recent triennial sample results from September 2022 showed that both lead and copper are below their respective action levels. More information can be found in the City's Water Quality Report.

Additional Resources