To ensure you receive the best water quality possible, both the Federal and Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Acts require us to monitor for lead and copper in your drinking water. Because NWWA has never detected lead or copper in our source water, we rely on customers to do voluntary sampling in their homes. It is the only monitoring we do that relies completely on our customers’ participation. We are always recruiting new volunteers. Click here for more information and to sign up.
2022 Testing Results
From June through September 2022, North Wales Water Authority sampled 35 homes in our Montgomery County service area. We are happy to report that none of the homes that participated in this monitoring exceeded the regulated action level for lead and copper. The homes that were sampled were a mix of homes that contained lead service lines and/or lead based solder in the household plumbing. The data collected shows that NWWA is doing the best that it can in preventing the leaching of lead and copper into our customer’s drinking water. Our results are representative of our water system as a whole and we are pleased that another monitoring period has been successfully completed once again. Our thanks to everyone who volunteered.
What’s Next
Our most recent monitoring was concluded in the summer of 2022. The next monitoring period will begin in 2025. Testing for lead and copper in your water is incredibly important. Your test results show whether there is a harmful presence of lead or copper in your drinking water. Too much lead or copper can lead to negative health effects such as damage to the brain, kidneys, and impaired childhood development.
Proposed changes to the Lead and Copper Rule
Revisions have been submitted to the existing lead and copper rule. These revisions will require water authorities to submit service line material data for all the service lines in their service area. It also requires water authorities to work with primary schools and day care facilities to collect lead and copper water samples. These locations are important because they care for young children who are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of lead and copper. Here is a great link from the EPA about the proposed changes and improvements expected in the new rule: EPA LCR Proposal Summary and Key Improvements.
What does the new rule changes mean for our customers?
NWWA will need the assistance of our customers in helping us determine what the service line material is on the customer-owned portion of the service line. We are currently scheduling appointments for an operator to check the service line material in the customer’s home. Please call Justin Williams at 215-589-4767 or email to jwilliams@nwwater.com to request a service line material appointment. If you have had plumbing upgrades in the home or happen to know the service line material and can submit a photo, please email Justin Williams.
If your home has a confirmed galvanized or lead service line, you have the option to participate in our Service Line Replacement Program. Please click here for more info.
Request information and/or sign up to participate