The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently updated the national Lead and Copper Rule, which is designed to control lead and copper in drinking water. This update required public water systems to identify the material type of every water service line connected to the City. A service line is the piping that connects the interior plumbing from homes to the City’s water main.  The City of Sidney, like many other communities, was required to develop a service line inventory detailing the type of water service line such as lead, galvanized, or unknown for each property connected to the water system. This service line inventory was due to the EPA by October 16, 2024.

Lead is a metal used for most of the 20th century in everything from paint and gasoline to plumbing pipes and fixtures and has been linked to a number of serious health ailments. Because it can accumulate in the body, infants, children and developing fetuses are particularly susceptible to the effects of lead exposure. 

Lead contamination is not commonly found in natural water sources such as rivers, lakes, and streams that are used to produce drinking water.  The presence of lead in the drinking water system is primarily a result of corrosion or the wearing away of materials containing lead in the plumbing. Buildings built prior to 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures, and solder components. New buildings can also be at risk, since even legally “lead-free” plumbing may contain up to 8 percent lead in its makeup. 

Although the City has completed the initial inventory report, efforts are still underway to identify all of the unknown services within the community. You as the customer can help the process by reporting the customer-owned portion of the service line.  For guidance on how to identify your service line material please click here. 

You can report your service line material by calling the City Water Department at 937-498-8117, filling out this ONLINE FORM, or by email. Please include your Name, Address, and Service Line material type in the email. 

If you need assistance with determining the water line material type, please contact the City Water Department to schedule an appointment at 937-498-8117.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I received a letter about Lead in the water. What does this mean?

The City of Sidney’s source water does not contain Lead. The presence of lead in the drinking water system is primarily a result of corrosion or the wearing away of service lines leading to homes that are made of Lead or have Lead components. Buildings built prior to 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures, and solder components. Lead was a common metal used in the making of water service lines.

To prevent this corrosive environment, the City’s water treatment plant monitors the water quality and applies corrosion control chemicals to prevent the leaching of lead from service lines.

Q: What is a service line?

A service line is the piping that connects your interior plumbing to the City’s water main.  The responsibility of the service line is shared between the City and the property owner.  The property owner is responsible for the service line from the meter pit (or curb stop valve) into the building, while the City is responsible for the service line from the water main to the meter pit. The location of the meter pit is typically in the road right-of-way between the curb and sidewalk. If any part of the service line contains lead or galvanized piping, it is considered to be a lead service line.

 Q: What is the City doing to prevent lead in the drinking water?

One key component of the City’s water treatment process is the use of corrosion control chemicals that help prevent or reduce the potential for lead to be present in the public water supply. Through routine monitoring of the treatment processes, chemicals such as tri-polyphosphate and other pH adjusting chemicals are used to stabilize the water and ensure its non-corrosive prior to public use. The City monitors the effectiveness of the corrosion control program through routine lead sampling of 30 locations throughout the City.  

Q: Am I required to replace my portion of the service line?

The City does not have a requirement for customers to replace their portion of the service line. However, it is recommended that customer consider replacement at their convenience to eliminate exposure. In the meantime, customers can follow the guidance listed in the letter on ways to reduce exposure.

Q: What is the City doing with its portion of the service line?

The City is currently working to identify all of the lead and galvanized services throughout the community.  Once complete, a replacement plan for the City-owned portion will be developed to ensure compliance with the EPA’s deadline of having all lines replaced by 2037.

Q: What can I do to reduce exposure to Lead if found in my drinking water?

• Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
• Flush your tap if it has been unused for 6 or more hours. Lead levels increase over time as water sits in lead-containing plumbing materials. Regular water usage in your home or building can reduce lead levels in drinking water. When water has not been used for 6 hours or more, homes and buildings served by lead or galvanized requiring replacement service lines should be flushed until you note a temperature change, then flush for one more minute.   
• Use cold water for cooking, drinking, and preparing baby formula. Do not cook with, drink, or make baby formula from your hot water tap. Lead dissolves more easily in hot water. Always use cold water and heat if needed. 
• Use an ANSI certified lead filter. Filters certified to the ANSI/NSF 53 standard for lead removal can be effective at reducing lead levels in water. 
• Regularly clean your faucet aerators. Over time, particles containing lead can build up on the inside of aerator screens. Cleaning aerators regularly will help eliminate this source of lead.
• For pregnant persons, infants, and young children. Some populations such as pregnant persons, infants, and young children may be more at risk from the harmful effects of lead. These populations may consider taking extra precautions if their home is served by a lead or galvanized requiring replacement service line. These extra precautions may include having their drinking water analyzed for lead, using an alternative source of water (such as bottled water), or utilizing a filter certified to ANSI/NSF 53 standard for lead removal. 
• Replace lead containing plumbing fixtures. Many old faucets, valves, and other plumbing fixtures may contain lead. Identify if your building’s plumbing fixtures contain lead and replace them when appropriate. 
• You may wish to have your child’s blood tested for lead. Please contact the Shelby County Health department for additional assistance. 

Q: How can I review the service line type the City has documented for my property?

The City's service line inventory report is available for review at the City of Sidney's Service Center located at 415 S. Vandemark Road from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday.  Customer may also call the Water Department at 937-498-8117 and ask about the service material type for their property.

Q: I need to replace my portion of the service line. Is there any assistance programs available?

The City of Sidney in partnership with Shelby County offers Community Housing Impact & Preservation (CHIP) program for assistance in replacing Lead line. For more information click here.

Q: Where can I find the latest water quality report?

Click here for the latest Consumer Confidence Report.

Q: Can I have my water tested for Lead?

Customers interested in having their water tested for the presence of Lead can coordinate sample collection and analysis with one of the Ohio EPA's certified labs. You can find the list of approved laboratories here.

For more information on lead and copper, please visit the following links:

• U.S. EPA Lead in Drinking Water
• Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water
• AWWA Let's Get the Lead Out
• AWWA Lead and Your Water