Notices sent about service lines in Jamestown containing lead, galvanized material
Nov. 7—JAMESTOWN — The city of Jamestown has sent notices about service lines that are either made of unknown material, contain galvanized components or have been classified as being made of lead.
"There were about 4,400 notices sent out," said Tyler Michel, public works director. He added that the notices were mailed Oct. 31.
He said the notices are strictly informational and are required to be sent out yearly. He said property owners don't have to take any action at this time.
Although the city hasn't gotten an official ruling from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, Michel said at some point the service lines containing lead or galvanized components will need to be removed from the water system.
"There could be some grant funding or some financing options, but without knowing the ruling yet, we just can't make those determinations yet," he said.
Michel said service lines were determined to be in one of three categories as part of the water meter replacement project.
"They have to take pictures prior to installation and post installation," he said. "So we can use those pictures from the water meter program to determine what the second part of the service line is. To get the first part known, we may have to do hydrovacing or hydro excavation, or just an actual excavation, to dig down and to actually lay eyes on the pipe to see what it's made out of."
He said more than 4,000 of the approximately 4,400 notices say it is unknown service line material.
"So we are going to continue to work on the unknowns and hopefully by this time next year when we have to send the letters out again, we will have many of the unknown service lines determined by that point," Michel said.
A service line is the pipe that connects the water main to the interior plumbing in a building, according to the notices. The service line is owned by the property owner.
Michel said there are two parts to every service line. He said the first part is from the main water line underneath the street to the property's curb stop. The second part is from that same curb stop into the residence, business or building.
He said more than 4,000 of the notices say unknown service line material because the city does not know what one of those two sections are made of. He said unknown could mean the service line is copper, PVC, plastic or other types of galvanized material.
"Some of the galvanized are OK, but there's ones that are galvanized requiring replacement," he said.
The notice of a confirmed lead service line says the city has determined a portion or the entire water pipe at a particular address is made from lead. The notice says people in homes with a lead service line may have an increased risk of exposure to lead from their drinking water.
The notice of a confirmed galvanized service line was provided to locations with a service line classified as containing galvanized components and currently is or may have been downstream of a lead service line.
"This galvanized material COULD have absorbed lead because records indicate the current or past presence of a lead service line pipe at this address," the notice says. "The Environmental Protection Agency defines these service lines as 'galvanized requiring replacement.' People living in homes with a GRR service line may have an increased risk of exposure to lead from their drinking water."
Michel said lead was used for service lines in the 1950s to early '60s. He said lead was removed from the plumbing code in 1989.
The cost to replace a service line depends on whether it's the whole service line or one of the two parts of one.
"If it's the part under the street, of course, replacing the street, the curb and gutter, that can get fairly expensive," he said. "I know ... Bismarck and Grand Forks were doing some of this already, and we were just at a conference with them, and they were seeing prices ranging from $2,000 all the way up to $20,000. Each individual property is going to be just a little different."
The notices say service lines are the responsibility of the property owner and the city is exploring options and funding to replace the necessary service lines. The property owner can choose to replace the existing service line at any time but should notify the Jamestown Public Works Department by calling 252-5900 or emailing
. Property owners can also contact the Public Works Department to get information about potential financing solutions to assist them with the replacement of service lines.
The notices explain the health effects of lead in all age groups.
"Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span," the notices say. "Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or worsen existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these negative health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney, or nervous system problems."
The notices also include recommended actions that property owners can take if they are concerned about lead in their drinking water. Recommended actions include cleaning the aerator, using cold water, running water to flush out lead and using a filter properly.
If property owners want to sample a tap for lead, they can contact their local public water system for assistance in selecting a certified laboratory.
If anyone has any concerns about the health effects of lead, individuals should consider consulting their health care provider, the notice says.
