Lead in Drinking Water

Identify Your Service Line

Service Line Inventory Map

The City of Lebanon is required to sample for Lead and Copper in our water distribution system every 3 years. Lead was a common service line material used in some parts of the country, but it has not been documented as an often-used material for water services in the Pacific Northwest. It was, however, used in plumbing fixtures which can leave traces of lead in drinking water.

In compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2008 revision of the Lead and Copper Rule, the City’s Lead and Copper sampling sites consist of single-family structures with copper pipes with lead solder installed after 1982 (but before the effective date of Oregon’s lead ban which was 1985) or contain lead pipes and/or that are served by a lead service line. In 1986, Congress banned the use of lead material in plumbing but allowed existing pipes to remain in service..

UPDATE - Lead and Copper Rule 2021

In December 2021, the EPA published the revised Lead and Copper Rule. A requirement of the updated rule is for water suppliers to create a public facing map of all service line and pipe materials within the city’s service area. The City of Lebanon currently has over 11,000 water services in our distribution system. This is a heavy lift for City staff, and given our limited resources, we are asking the community to help us comply with the new rule. City staff are confident that there are no lead service lines in our service area. We need your help in documenting service lines and completing the map.

Please refer to our How to Identify Pipe Material section to help you determine what type of pipe material you have entering your house. The Interactive Links to Identifying Pipe Material section below lists interactive websites to help identify pipe materials. Once you have identified your pipe material, or if you already know your pipe material, please use the form to submit the information to our staff. If possible, please include three photographs of where your service line enters your house for staff to use in the case of a discrepancy. You can also send an email of your pipe material information and photographs to pw@ci.lebanon.or.us

How To Reduce Lead In Your Drinking Water

 

There are steps you can take right away to reduce the possibility of lead in your water.

  • Run the Tap Before Use – Lead levels are likely at their highest when water has been sitting in the pipe for several hours. Clear this water from your pipes by running the cold water for several minutes, which allows you to draw fresh water from the water main. Please remember to be water wise and try not to waste water. You can use this water on house plants or to flush toilets.

 

  • Clean Aerators – Aerators are small attachments at the tips of faucets which regulate the flow of water. They can collect small particles of lead in their screens. It’s a good idea to remove your aerators at least monthly and clean them out.

 

  • Use Cold Water for Drinking and Cooking – Always cook and prepare baby formula with cold water, because hot water dissolves lead more quickly, resulting in higher levels in water.

 

  • Change Out Old Fixtures - Plumbing regulations now stipulate that all fixtures must be manufactured lead-free. Consider installing new fixtures and/or pipes to eliminate sources of exposure.

 

 

  • Do Not Boil Water – Boiling water will not remove lead from the water.  

 

How Do I Identify My Pipe Material

 

Step 1 – Locating where the service line enters your house

This is typically found in the basement or crawl space and could also be located near the water heater or the washing machine. A shut off valve is installed on the pipe after the point of entry.

Identify a test area on the pipe between the point where it enters the building and the valve. If the pipe is covered or wrapped, expose a small area of metal.

Step 2 – Perform the scratch and magnet test

Scratch Test - Use a flat head screwdriver or a coin to perform a scratch test
Magnet Test - Use a refrigerator magnet to perform the magnet test

Step 3 – Identify the service line material

Each type of pipe will produce a different type of scratch, react differently to the magnet, and make a unique noise when tapped with your screwdriver or coin.  Follow the instructions below to help you identify your service line material.

Examples of How to Identify Line Material
Copper or Brass Galvanized Pipe
Scratch Test - Scraped area is like a copper penny Scratch Test - Scraped area remains dull silver or gray
Magnet Test - Magnet will not stick Magnet Test - Magnet will stick
Tap Test - Tapping sound is metallic and ringing Tap Test - Tapping sound is metallic and ringing
Threads -  No threads Threads -  Has threads
Copper pipes could be bluish in appearance  
   
Lead Pipe Plastic
Scratch Test - Scrapes easily to shiny bright silver Scratch Test - Scrape feels dull and not metallic
Magnet Test - Magnet will not stick Magnet Test - Magnet will not stick
Tap Test - Tapping sound is dull Tap Test - Tapping sound is dull like plastic
Threads -  No threads Threads -  No threads
Bulbous where connects to pipe or shutoff Could be any number of colors (white, red, blue, clear)

 

Submit Your Service Line Material 

 

 The city is required to have the service line inventory map completed by October 2024. The citizens of Lebanon have a strong sense of Community and we are excited to work with our customers to get the map completed on time!

Feel free to call the Public Works Department at 541-258-4918 with questions about the Lead and Copper Rule, how to identify your pipe material, the webform, or email the Public Works Department.

If you have any questions or need help identifying your pipes, give us a call!

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