In 2021, the Lead Service Line Replacement Law was enacted, which requires community water systems across the United States such as West Sound Utility District to identify and replace all lead service lines within 10 years. Under this law, as well as a new regulatory requirement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, water systems must send notices to consumers at a property when they are served by a lead or unknown service line material.
West Sound Utility District is focused on protecting the health of every customer 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.
West Sound Utility District has not yet examined the material of the service line to your property, and it is therefore considered an “unknown service line material”. West Sound Utility District has currently examined 3,120 of the 7,220 services. None of the 3,120 services examined to date were found to be lead service lines. We will continue our efforts to identify all service line material types within our system.
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, EPA developed an online step-by-step guide to help people identify lead pipes in their homes: Protect Your Tap: A Quick Check for 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, kidney, or nervous system problems.
Steps 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. It is not intended to be a complete list. It does not imply that all actions equally reduce lead in drinking water.
Use your filter 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, visit EPA’s filters to reduce lead website.
Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and 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 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 about construction in your neighborhood. Contact us at 360-876-2545 or customerservice [at] wsud.us (customerservice[at]wsud[dot]us) to find out about any active 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. You may contact a certified laboratory to have your water tested for lead at your expense. An Ecology Certified Laboratory in Kitsap County is available below:
Spectra Laboratories
26276 Twelve Trees Lane NW
Suite C
Poulsbo, WA 98370
(360) 779-5141
Other labs are available on the Department of Ecology’s website at: Testing drinking water - Washington State Department of Ecology
Note, a water sample may not adequately capture or represent all sources of lead that may be present. Visit EPA’s basic information webpage for information on sources of lead that include service lines and interior plumbing.
Test your Child to Determine their Blood Lead Levels
A family doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood test for lead and provide information about the health effects of lead. State or county health departments can also provide information about how you can have your child's blood tested for lead. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend public health actions when the level of lead in a child’s blood is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or more. Visit EPA’s Basic Information website for more information and links to CDC’s website.
For more information on reducing lead exposure from your drinking water and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s Lead website.
Consumer Confidence
West Sound Utility District’s distributed drinking water meets or exceeds all water quality standards as set forth in the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act. In addition to meeting or exceeding these standards, our drinking water supplies are also tested monthly for bacteria and other contaminants in compliance with the Act. Annual reports regarding water quality can be viewed in the Consumer Confidence Reports section of our website. Water Quality (CCR) - Consumer Confidence Report | West Sound Utility District WA