All water systems that identify lead or galvanized service lines requiring replacement or service lines with unknown materials to notify affected customers

PHOENIX (Nov. 15, 2024) – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today that it has completed its first review of lead service line (LSL) inventories submitted by Arizona’s public water systems. A service line is an underground pipe that connects residences and businesses to the water main – a large pipe that carries the public water supply. More than 2.3 million water service lines have been assessed for potential lead, as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) updated Lead and Copper Rule (LCRR), which aims to protect communities from lead in drinking water. Only five lead lines were identified during this review at a federal facility in Yuma. Next, ADEQ will work with water systems across the state—especially smaller, rural systems—to ensure compliance with LCRR standards and to help identify the materials labeled as “unknown” in 27 percent of the service lines inventoried.

“While lead service lines are much less prevalent in Arizona than in many Eastern states, ADEQ is committed to supporting water systems in addressing the potential risks of lead in drinking water,” said ADEQ Water Quality Division Deputy Director Randall Matas. “With federal and state collaboration, we are prioritizing public safety and working to ensure all water systems, especially smaller systems, meet all requirements. If a system identifies lead lines, then ADEQ can help that water system determine what type of available federal funding they may be eligible for to replace those lines.”

Per LCRR requirements, water systems with lead or galvanized service lines requiring replacement, or service lines with unknown materials, must notify affected residents about the specific type of service line identified, the potential health effects of lead and safety measures by Nov. 15, 2024, or 30 days from LSL inventory submittal. Public water systems will provide customers with annual notices until relevant service lines are replaced or confirmed to be lead-free. The notices from the water systems may also request that water customers provide the utility with access to their property to inspect a service line and verify its material. Customer cooperation during this process is essential to minimizing “unknown” lines and ensuring any remaining LSLs are identified and addressed. 

Under EPA’s LCRR, 950 public water systems in Arizona were required to submit service line inventories to ADEQ by Oct. 16, 2024, with annual updates. This “living inventory” will improve in accuracy over time and guide systems in identifying unknown lines. Systems must also develop replacement plans if lead or galvanized service lines requiring replacement are found, prioritizing high-risk areas and new sampling locations. Additionally, the updated rules strengthen water sampling requirements and lower the action level for lead in water from 15 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb, prompting earlier intervention to mitigate lead contamination in drinking water. A summary of Arizona’s LSL inventory as of Nov. 14, 2024 follows: 

• 950 Water Systems in Arizona were required to submit LSL inventory: 757 have submitted and 193 have yet to submit
• 2.3 million water lines have been assessed
• 5 LSLs have been identified

ADEQ continues to support public water systems, especially those in small or rural communities, in achieving compliance. Systems serving over 50,000 residents are required to publish their inventory online, while smaller systems must provide them upon request. More than 95 percent of Arizona’s public water systems serve fewer than 10,000 people.

Background 

Lead in drinking water has long been associated with adverse health effects, especially for children and vulnerable populations. In June 1988, Arizona followed federal legislation by banning the use of lead materials in public water systems. Since then, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA has required monitoring for lead in drinking water. Although lead piping has not been allowed in drinking water systems for over 35 years, the existence of lead pipes prior to the 1988 ban was unknown, but expected to be very low in Arizona. 

ADEQ and EPA are working together to provide education and enforce the new requirements across Arizona. Arizona aims to adopt EPA’s new regulations formally in 2025, giving ADEQ full regulatory authority over LSL requirements for Arizona’s public water systems. Until then, ADEQ’s efforts to support public water systems underscore its commitment to ensuring clean, safe drinking water for all Arizonans through compliance with these important federal regulations. ADEQ’s goal is to ensure that all Arizonans have access to safe drinking water, free from risks associated with lead exposure. 

For more information about ADEQ’s LSL inventory initiative and other efforts to protect Arizona’s drinking water, visit the Lead and Copper Rule Page | View > 

Contact

ADEQ Public Information Officer
Ph: 480-670-0568 (cell) 
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