Lead & Copper Rule Information

Unknown Material Notification Letter

Town of Chino Valley is working to identify service line materials throughout the water system.  In early November 2024, we sent a letter to customers where we determined that the water pipe (called a service line) that connects the home, business, or other structure to the water main is made from unknown material but may be lead.  Click here to read that letter here. 

Background Overview

In 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) requirements that public water systems must comply with starting on October 16, 2024, as outlined in the Lead and Copper Improvement (LCRI) proposal. These requirements include the initial service line inventory, notification to persons served of known or potential lead service line, Tier 1 public notification of a lead action level exceedance, and associated reporting requirements.

The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) protects public health by minimizing lead and copper levels in drinking water, primarily by reducing water corrosivity. Lead and copper enter drinking water mainly from plumbing materials containing lead and copper. All community water systems (CWSs) and non-transient non-community water systems (NTNCWSs) are subject to LCR requirements.

What is the Town of Chino Valley Doing to Address Lead & Copper?

Chino Valley has been monitoring lead and copper in accordance with the Lead and Copper rule since the original rule came out in 1992. The lead service line inventory requirement as a part of the LCRI includes a physical verification of services installed pre-1990 which the Town recently completed.  Utilities staff conducted inspections at properties on our distribution system to further finalize the Town's inventory.

The Types of Classifications for Service Lines are Defined as One of the Following:

Lead: A portion of the pipe is made of lead, which connects the water main to the building inlet.

Galvanized Requiring Replacement (GRR): A galvanized service line that is or ever was downstream of an LSL or is currently downstream of an unknown service line.

Non-Lead: The service line is determined not to be lead or GRR through an evidence-based record, method, or technique.  

Unknown: The service line material is not known to be a lead, GRR, or non-lead, such as where there is no documented evidence supporting material classification. EPA recommends you track additional information in your inventory, such as pipe diameter and installation date, source of material information, actual material of nonlead lines, and other lead sources (e.g., lead goosenecks and solder).

Having Your Water Tested

If you are uncertain about the water line materials servicing your property, you can use a lab to have your water tested.  Here is list of known Certified Water Testing Labs

Lead and Copper Additional Resources

• The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at https://azdeq.gov/LeadCopperRule
• The National League of Cities Lead & Copper Rule Information. 
• The EPA's Lead & Copper Rule Information
• The EPA's Protect Your Tap: A Quick Check for Lead
• The EPA's Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water