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FAQs about Lead and Drinking Water

Blue Granite recently sent out voice reaches, e-mails, and letters to certain customers, as required by the Environmental Protection Agency, to notify the neighborhood that lead was found in some customer-provided water samples. 

However, the lead does not come from us or our pipes.  It is from pipes in people's homes or businesses (older structures).

Lead is not present in the water we provide to customers.  If a home or building has plumbing made from lead or brass, lead can get into the drinking water. This happens because these materials can corrode over time. Some water samples, not all water samples, from homes and buildings in our service area were positive for some level of lead, which was above the "action level" as set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Not all homes and businesses in these neighborhoods were tested, and not all customers’ service lines or interior plumbing have lead components.

The EPA requires that we notify the entire neighborhood if any samples come back at a level higher than 15 parts per billion. If customers have any questions, they can call 800-367-4314, and we will address their concerns.

Why did some residents receive this notice?
The notice is required by the EPA to be sent to properties where we have not gotten samples and/or the service line material is unknown. The language in the notice was provided by the EPA to water utilities.

Should residents be concerned?
Blue Granite is in compliance with drinking water standards. We take our commitment to delivering you quality water service very seriously. We are proud to serve you and to be your trusted water provider.

What is Blue Granite doing about lead service lines?
We are in compliance with regulations, including developing a lead service line inventory to make sure everyone understands whether their home and interior plumbing are at risk. We also provide customers with critical information about lead and how to reduce exposure. We are actively working to identify lead and lead/galvanized service lines. As a part of this effort, where we do not have information about the material of the service line, we are reaching out to notify the residents that the material is unknown and to ask for help identifying the material. If you received this request, please help us by completing the survey online at www.myutility.us/bluegranitewater/water-safety/lead-lead-service-lines.

What if my service line is lead or galvanized steel?
We will work with property owners to learn how to replace their service line. Please note that if a service line contains lead, it does not mean customers cannot use water as they normally do. Water service continues to meet water quality standards. Where needed, we treat water to prevent corrosion of service lines and household plumbing, and our ongoing lead and copper compliance testing continues to meet state and federal water quality regulations, including those set for lead.

How can I reduce my exposure to lead?

Customers can reduce their exposure to lead by flushing their cold water taps before using water for consumption, especially if the faucet has been off and water has been sitting in the pipes for six hours or longer. Before using water for drinking or cooking, "flush" the cold water faucet by allowing the water to run until you can feel that the water has become as cold as it will get. This may take several minutes. More tips can be found on the EPA’s website here - Actions to Reduce Potential Lead Exposure | US EPA.


A water filtration business contacted me, saying I need to install a water filtration system. They are implying that water in our area isn’t safe. Should I be concerned?

Modifications to your home plumbing are decisions that need to be made by the homeowner. We do understand some businesses may use recent regulations or news stories to market their product. We encourage customers to do their research when making these types of decisions. If there are any concerns about your water quality, please reach out to us at 800-367-4314.

More information about your water quality and more can be found online at www.myutility.us/bluegranitewater/water-safety/lead-lead-service-lines.