In response to nationwide concerns of lead exposure through drinking water, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) (40 CFR 141.84). The law mandates that public water systems tabulate and make available an inventory of water service lines with their material of construction. In particular, the inventory focuses on whether or not water service lines contain lead. The initial inventory must be submitted to the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) Drinking Water Bureau (DWB) no later than October 16, 2024.
What is a service line?
A water service line is the pipe that connects the water main to your home or building inlet. Service lines may be made of copper or other materials such as galvanized iron or steel, plastic, brass, or lead. If any portion of the pipe is made of lead, it is called a lead service line (LSL).
Why is it important for me to know if my home has a lead or galvanized service line?
Lead is a toxin that poses serious health risks, and infants, young children, and pregnant people are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure. Lead service lines and plumbing materials (including solder, fixtures, and faucets) are the most common sources of lead in a home’s drinking water. Galvanized iron or steel pipe can pose a risk if it has ever been connected downstream of a lead service line, as lead can attach to the inner surface of galvanized steel and be released into drinking water over time. Service lines made of galvanized iron or steel that are (or were previously) downstream of LSLs are classified as galvanized requiring replacement (GRR) service line.
What is the City of Las Cruces doing?
The City of Las Cruces Utilities Department (LCU) has already completed an initial inventory of service line materials, which will be made publicly available on the LCU website no later than October 16, 2024. Your service line may be labeled as: lead, galvanized requiring replacement, non-lead, or unknown. In the event your service line is lead or galvanized requiring replacement, you will receive a notice within 30 days of October 16, 2024. If your service line is designated unknown, you will receive further information on how to check your service line and report it to the City of Las Cruces Utilities Department.
Where can I go to ask questions and get more information?
More information about the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions can be found at https://www.env.nm.gov/drinking_water/lcrr/.
For more information on lead in drinking water, visit: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water.
For a list of certified laboratories for Lead testing visit: https://cloud.env.nm.gov/resources/_translator.php/HKA~sl~mnAhFiTd2yWeBAialqR+PaKNAPF7wjoS6S+jPh1b7n7V6Ekd54r6mpy0X0+n8He1EyjJcpVVY03YyHQDzUF0TQtxZNvL0BsoueHja3prA8CO5zrfMQ==.pdf
Additionally, you can reach out to Steven Perez, Deputy Director of Regulatory Compliance with Las Cruces Utilities directly at [email protected], or at 575-528-3704.
Letter to Residents: “Notice of Unknown Service Line Material”
The City is sending (or has already sent) the following notices to residents:
Dear Las Cruces Resident,
We are writing to inform you of an important matter concerning the water service lines in your area. As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and quality of the drinking water supply, we have recently completed a survey of service lines within our community.
Las Cruces Municipal Water System (San Andreas Estates Water System, University Estates Water System, Hacienda Acres Water System, Las Alturas Estates Water System) is focused on protecting the health of every household in our community. This notice contains important information about your drinking water. Please share this information with anyone who drinks and/or cooks using water at this property. In addition to people directly served at this property, this can include people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, businesses, as well as parents served by childcare at this property.
Las Cruces Municipal Water System (San Andreas Estates Water System, University Estates Water System, Hacienda Acres Water System, Las Alturas Estates Water System) is working to identify service line materials throughout the water system and has determined that the water pipe (called a service line) that connects your home, building, or other structure to the water main is made from unknown material but may be lead. Because your service line material is unknown, there is the potential that some or all of the service line could be made of lead or galvanized pipe that was previously connected to lead. People living in homes with a lead or galvanized pipe previously connected to a lead service line have an increased risk of exposure to lead from their drinking water.
Identifying service line material
To help determine the material of your service line, please contact Las Cruces Municipal Water System via phone (575) 528-3704, [email protected] and/or visit the website @ lascruces.gov/LeadAndCopper. Our webpage features a Customer Service Line Material Identification Guide. In addition, EPA has developed an online step-by-step guide to help people identify lead pipes in their homes called Protect Your Tap: A Quick Check for Lead. It is available at: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/protect-your-tap-quick-check-lead.
Health effects of lead
Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. 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.
Steps you can take to reduce lead in drinking water.
Below are recommended actions that you may take, separately or in combination, if you are concerned about lead in your drinking water. The list also includes where you may find more information and is not intended to be a complete list or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead in drinking water.
Use filters properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, see EPA’s https://www.epa.gov/water-research/consumer-tool-identifying-point-use-and-pitcher-filters-certified-reduce-lead.
Clean your aerator. Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in pipes providing water to your home, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home.
Learn what your service line material is. Contact us at 575-528-3704 and/or [email protected] or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials. To find out about what we are doing to replace lead service lines, please visit lascruces.gov/LeadAndCopper or contact us at the phone number and/or email previously listed above. https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/protect-your-tap-quick-check-lead-0 is EPA’s on-line step by step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home.
Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Contact us at the phone number and/or email address listed above to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service line. Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line or galvanized service line if present.
Have your water tested. Contact us, your water utility, at 575-528-3704 and/or [email protected] to inquire about water testing and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water. Alternatively, you may contact a certified laboratory directly to have your water tested for lead. A list of certified laboratories is available at lascruces.gov/LeadAndCopper. Note, a water sample may not adequately capture or represent all sources of lead that may be present. For information on sources of lead that include service lines and interior plumbing, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#getinto.
Get your child tested to determine lead levels in their blood.
Although there is no confirmation of having a lead service line, you may wish to speak with a healthcare provider to see if your child’s blood lead level is elevated and/or if there is a need for blood testing, if you are concerned about potential exposure. Please visit https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/advisory/acclpp/actions-blls.htm for information on these actions.
For information about potential financing solutions to assist property owners with replacement of lead service lines, please contact us at 575-528-3704 and/or [email protected]
For more information on reducing lead exposure from your drinking water and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/lead.
Lead Service Line Inventory Map
This map is being provided, in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements for the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) that become effective as of October 16, 2024. In accordance with Code of Federal Regulations § 141.84 (8)(ii) Water systems serving greater than 50,000 persons must make the publicly accessible inventory available online.
The map includes the current material identification status of water service lines for customers of all five, City of Las Cruces owned Public Water Systems, including: Las Cruces Municipal Water System, Las Alturas Estates, San Andres Estates, University Estates, and Hacienda Acres. The Lead Service Line Inventory map is a “living” document meaning it will continue to be updated as additional information is collected through the duration of this project until all service line materials are identified.
How to Check Your Water Lines for Lead:
- Enter Your Address:
Begin by inputting the address of your property in the provided field. - Provide Your Las Cruces Utilities Account Number:
You can also enter your Las Cruces Utilities account number to ensure accurate results. - Review Your Water Line Information:
Once the information is submitted, the system will display details about your water lines and indicate if they may require further inspection for lead. - Next Steps:
- In addition to being able to check the status of the most recent water service line data for your property, if you find the information is incomplete and you are aware of the details, you can request to update your information by clicking on the “Request Change” red-highlighted text box within the Property Details Box.
- If potential lead issues are identified, follow the provided recommendations on our Lead and Copper Rule Revisions webpage and/or contact Deputy Director Regulatory Compliance, Steven Perez at 575-528-3704, [email protected] for further assistance.
