Gate City Service Line Inventory

Mandatory Questionnaire for Gate City Water Users

Complete by September 30th, 2024

Click Here For On-line Survey Form

The Town of Gate City Public Works/Water Department is committed to providing you with the best possible service and we value your feedback immensely. In our ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of our services, we are conducting a comprehensive survey on lead and copper service line inventory.

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) released “Guidance for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory” on August 4, 2022. This guidance is intended to help water systems to comply with the requirement of submitting an initial service line inventory by October 16, 2024 set by the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.

Your input is crucial in helping us understand the current status of your service lines within your home. The survey is designed to gather information about your property’s service lines and any in-home water treatment.

The Town is required to have this inventory completed with as much information as possible by the EPA and VDH—and we need your help! Responses are mandatory.

We understand that your time is valuable, and we sincerely appreciate your willingness to participate in this initiative. 

Thank you for being a valued customer and for your continued support. If you have any questions or encounter any issues while completing the survey, please don’t hesitate to contact the Town at 540-879-2241 and ask for the Public Works Department.

Best regards,

The Town of Gate City Public Works/Water Staff

What is the Town of Gate City Doing to Remove Lead From Drinking Water?

The drinking water from the Gate City’s treatment plant that travels through the street water mains to your house is lead free. Gate City Water Treatment Plant also uses corrosion control treatment, decreasing the amount of lead that can go from the lead or lead-containing service line pipes into the water. The Gate City Water Treatment Plant tests the water in the system, following state and federal requirements.

Today, lead service lines, lead solder in indoor plumbing, and lead in older plumbing fixtures can cause lead to be in your drinking water.

A service line is a pipe that connects the water main in the street to building plumbing.

In Gate City, the Town is responsible for the service line from the main in the street to the water meter box, typically at the property line or in the sidewalk. The property owner is responsible for the service line from the water meter box to the home. Some homes in the Town’s service area were built before the 1986 Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, which mandated that new plumbing materials be lead-free. So, older homes may have lead or lead-containing service lines.

The USEPA Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) support removing lead from drinking water. The revisions require water utilities to create and submit lead service line inventories by October 16, 2024, and then come up with a plan to replace lead and lead-containing service lines.  

Below are some examples of piping that could be present in your home along with some characteristics to help you identify each.

Check Your Line!

Take the following steps to figure out if you have a lead, galvanized steel, copper, or plastic service line for the part of the service line you own. Lead is not safe for drinking and can get into water through lead water service lines.

When you have completed the steps, please submit your results using the following link: online survey. If you have a lead service line, the town will contact you to confirm the results and discuss next steps. 

What you need: 

  • House key or coin
  • Strong refrigerator magnet

Steps to check your service line:

  1. Find the service line in your basement.
  2. Use the house key or coin to carefully scratch the pipe surface.
  3. Compare the scratched area to the following descriptions:
  4. A) If it looks shiny and silver, the pipe is made of lead. A magnet will not stick to a lead pipe.

4. B) If it is a dull gray color with no noticeable scratch on the surface, the pipe is galvanized steel. A magnet will stick to a galvanized steel pipe.

4. C) If it is the same color as a penny, the pipe is copper. A magnet will not stick to a copper pipe.

4. D) If it is smooth and red, blue, white, or black, the pipe is plastic. A magnet will not stick to a plastic pipe.

5. Report your service line material by using on-line form below.
Click Here For On-line Survey Form

Steps to protect yourself if you have a lead service line

Flush your water tap: If your water has gone unused for more than six hours, let the water run for about five minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. Flushing means your water is coming directly from the main, where lead is rarely present, instead of coming from sitting in a pipe in contact with lead or lead parts.

Buy a lead filter: A National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) 53-certified water filtration system can be installed at the faucet, or be a filter pitcher that will remove lead. A water filter installed at the faucet will remove lead that may have entered the water from the service line, indoor plumbing, and plumbing fixtures. For more information about NSF filters and a list of certified filters, please visit the NSF Filter Website.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a water service line?
Water service lines are small pipes that carry water from the Town of Gate City’s water mains that connects to a water meter box into individual homes and buildings.
2. How do I find my water service line?

You can find your water service line by first finding the water meter that is located in a water meter box, which measures the amount of water you use. In most cases, the water meter box is typically located at the property boundary next to the road.  The water service line is the pipe that connects the water meter to the building. You will see it come out of the meter and go into the building. For help locating the water service line, call the Town of Gate City at 276-386-3831.

3. Who owns the water service line on my property?
The Town of Gate City owns the service line from the water main in the street to the meter box, typically at the property line. The property owner owns the service line from the meter box to the home.
4. What materials can service lines be made of?
Service lines can be made of lead, galvanized steel, plastic, brass, copper, cast iron, or ductile iron.
5. What other sources of lead are in my home?
Other sources of lead can include plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, fittings, etc.), indoor copper plumbing pipes with lead solder, and lead paint. Lead paint in homes is typically the greatest risk for lead exposure for young children.
6. Why do the water service line or plumbing fixture in some homes have lead?
Lead was commonly used for water service lines until 1960 and in household plumbing fixtures and solder until 1986, when it was banned. From 1986 to 2014, plumbing fixtures could have up to 8% lead and still be called “lead free.” However, current standards for “lead free” fixtures allow no more than 0.25% lead content. Many homes and buildings, especially those built before 1986, may have service lines and/or internal plumbing and fixtures that are made of or have lead.
7. How does lead get into the drinking water?
When water leaves the Gate City’s water treatment plant, it does not have lead. The water mains in the street that take water from the treatment plant are mostly made of iron and steel. They do not add lead to the drinking water. Lead can get into drinking water from the plumbing inside your building or the service line between the meter box and your building. When water sits in the service line or your building’s plumbing without being used for several hours, such as overnight, lead may dissolve into the water. So, the best way to stop lead from getting into your drinking water is replacing the water service line and older plumbing and fixtures in your home.
8. How do I know if I have a lead or galvanized steel service line that needs replacement?
The Town of Gate City is preparing a lead service line inventory. You can look up your address on this interactive map to learn if we know the material of your service line. If your service line material is unknown, you can take simple steps to learn and report your material, as outlined here. You can also call 276-386-3831 to schedule a free inspection.
9. I looked at my line, but I cannot tell if I have a lead service line. What should I do?
Schedule a free inspection from the Town of Gate City by calling 276-386-3831.
10. If my home’s plumbing has lead solder, how can I protect myself right now?

If you think you have lead solder, flush your system by running cold water for 5 minutes whenever the water in your home has not been used for more than 6 hours. Flushing helps your water come directly from the main, where lead is rarely present, instead of coming from sitting in a pipe in contact with lead or lead parts. Cleaning your faucet aerator will also decrease lead build-up. For a more final solution, a licensed plumber can replace pipes that have lead solder with lead-free pipes. You can also purchase a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) 53-certified water filtration system, which can be installed at the faucet, or a filter pitcher that will remove lead. A water filter installed at the faucet will remove lead that may have entered the water from the service line, indoor plumbing, and plumbing fixtures. More information about NSF filters and a list of certified filters can be found on this website.

11. Where can I get more information about lead in drinking water?

Visit the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule website.

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