Water Service Line Verification Project

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JEA’s Commitment to Providing Clean and Reliable Drinking Water

As your community-owned utility, JEA is dedicated to ensuring clean and reliable drinking water for our customers. We take stewardship of the community’s water supply seriously and exceed all regulatory requirements of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

We deliver more than 120 million gallons of water each day and perform an average of 45,000 water tests each year. JEA makes substantial investments to our water system to ensure the reliability and safety of our water. In 2022, we installed 337,920 feet of new water pipes to replace aging infrastructure and to support the expansion of our distribution system. We continually inspect, maintain and upgrade our existing infrastructure to meet the ever-increasing need for community growth and reliability.

JEA provides a comprehensive summary of our water quality in our annual Water Quality Report. The data in the in this report confirms JEA’s water supply and delivery grids provide an excellent source of high-quality and safe water to all.

New Requirements by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Recently, the EPA added an addendum to the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) that was established in 1991. This new guidance, known as the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), is designed to keep people in the United States safe from the dangers of drinking water contaminated by lead and copper. The LCRR requires all public water service providers in the U.S., like JEA, to take inventory of all water service lines to determine if those lines contain any lead or copper.

The EPA’s overall goals for the LCRR is to:

Identify the material of water service lines across the U.S. to determine the possibility of water contamination due to lead and copper lines.
Strengthen requirements and safety of drinking water throughout the U.S.
Initiate the replacement of lead service lines in the U.S.

Water Service Line Verification Project

To comply with the LCRR, JEA’s Water Service Line Verification Project will take inventory of all water service lines in our service territory through Fall 2024. Although we are continually inspecting and upgrading our infrastructure, this project will determine if there are any potentially hazardous service lines remaining in our water system so that we can take the steps needed to replace them. This project will also include JEA inspections of a randomly selected group of customer water service lines as well as a request for customers to complete a water service line self-verification if their home was built prior to June 1986, when the Safe Drinking Water Act was amended to prohibit plumbing material that was not lead-free.

All findings will be made publicly accessible through leadCAST, an online tool JEA will launch in fall 2024.

Customers have the option to replace their private water service line at their own expense. JEA recommends contacting a licensed plumber in good standing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Any replacement costs from the meter to the home or inside the home will be the responsibility of the customer. If a customer plans to replace their water service line, they are encouraged to contact JEA. This will allow JEA teams to investigate and, if necessary, remove any lead service lines that may exist on the JEA side of the connection.

Customer Water Line Verification

Throughout the Water Service Line Verification Project, we will also take inventory of the water service lines of a randomly selected group of customers. If your water service line is part of this selection, a JEA contractor will dig small holes near the water meter box which is typically located at the curb near the street. This will allow us to check if your water service line is made of lead, copper, galvanized steel or plastic. This work will take about two hours and will not impact water service to you home. You will be notified within 24 hours if a lead line is found.

If your water service line was not selected to be tested by JEA, there are ways you can determine the material of your water line.

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Protect Yourself from Lead Exposure

If you have a water service line made of lead, there are ways to lessen the possibility of lead exposure from your drinking water.

Run your tap water for at least five minutes before drinking or cooking to flush out stagnant water and receive fresh water from the water main.
Use fresh, cold, running water for drinking, cooking or preparing baby formula.
Remove and clean faucet screens and aerators every six months.
Buy plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, sinks, hose bibs, etc.) with zero- or low-lead content that meets the current “lead-free’ requirements.
Use a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)-certified home water treatment device, faucet or pitcher filter that removes lead. The device must be both NSF 42- and NSF-53-certified to remove lead.

The only way to fully prevent the possibility of lead exposure is to have your lead water service line replaced with a plastic line by a licensed plumber.

Customers have the option to replace their private water service line at their own expense. JEA recommends contacting a licensed plumber in good standing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Any replacement costs from the meter to the home or inside the home will be the responsibility of the customer. If a customer plans to replace their water service line, they are encouraged to contact JEA. This will allow JEA teams to investigate and, if necessary, remove any lead service lines that may exist on the JEA side of the connection.

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Providing Clean and Reliable Drinking Water to this Community is a Top Priority

JEA understands the importance of safe water that is free of lead, which is why we routinely monitor for contaminants in your drinking water according to federal and state laws, rules, and regulations. It’s also why we routinely inspect, maintain and upgrade our infrastructure to ensure we deliver the highest quality water to our customers. Regulatory lead testing conducted in 2023 showed that JEA’s drinking water complied with all federal Lead and Copper Rule standards.

Although we can ensure the safety of the water that leaves our facilities, lead service lines may allow lead from the pipe to leach into the water. However, in June 1986 the Safe Drinking Water Act was amended to prohibit the use of any pipe that was not lead-free to be used for any public water system, residential or non-residential facility. While it is likely that most pipes installed prior to 1986 have been replaced through routine maintenance and upgrades to our infrastructure, JEA will take inventory of all water service lines in our territory by Fall 2024.

According to the EPA, 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 exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.

If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or epa.gov/safewater/lead. You can also contact JEA’s Water Quality section at 904-665-4521 or WaterQuality@jea.com.

Heath Information about Risks of Lead in Water

Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water (U.S. EPA)
Lead Poisoning Prevention Information (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

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Frequently Asked Questions

BACKGROUND

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Closed Title:What is the LCRR?

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Since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first published the Lead and Copper Rule in 1991, it has been revised multiple times to better protect children and communities at risk for lead exposure. After several years of review and analysis, the EPA released Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) on Oct. 16, 2021. JEA must comply with the rule by Oct. 16, 2024.

Key Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) requirements include:

Develop a materials inventory of all service lines – both public and private.
Create a lead service line replacement plan based on the results of the inventory.
Update/expand the compliance sampling pool based on new criteria.
Prepare a sampling plan for schools and licensed day cares.
Review and/or develop the corrosion control program.

For more information on the Lead and Copper Rule, visit:

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Closed Title:What sources of lead are there in my home or business?

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Paint, dust, and soil are the most common sources of lead in homes and businesses. Plumbing fixtures, such as the service line that carries water into your home or building, are also a potential source, especially if your pipes are made of lead or galvanized steel.

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Closed Title:How does lead get into the drinking water?

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Lead gets into drinking water due to the corrosion of lead pipes or other parts made from lead, including the service line between the street and your home or building.

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Closed Title:Does JEA test its water for lead and/or copper?

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Yes. When water leaves JEA’s water treatment plants, it complies with all federal and state standards. We perform an average of 45,000 water tests each year, with the samples examined for more than 100 bacteriological and chemical components. You can view our annual Water Quality Reports here: https://www.jea.com/about/water_supply/water_quality_reports/

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Closed Title:Why is lead a public health risk?

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Exposure to lead can affect multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children, the elderly and women of child-bearing age. There is no level of lead exposure that is known to be without harmful effects. If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, visit the EPA’s Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water web page or follow the steps below to reduce your lead exposure.

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INVENTORY OF WATER SERVICE LINES

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Closed Title:What is a water service line?

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A water service line (also known as a lateral) is the small pipe that carries water into your home or business from JEA’s water main located in the municipal right-of-way and easements.

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Closed Title:What types of materials are water service lines made of?

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Service lines can be made of plastic, brass, copper, cast iron, flexible iron, lead, or galvanized steel (which could contain lead). Homes built before June 1988 may have lead pipes that connect your property to the water mains. Homes built after that time should not have a lead service line.

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Closed Title:What is JEA doing about existing lead or copper water service lines?

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JEA has created a program to both educate our customers and to assist with identifying and reporting lead and copper pipes throughout our service territory. This program corresponds with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).

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Closed Title:Who owns the water service line on my property?

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The property owner does — from the JEA meter box, which is usually located at the property line, to the plumbing inside the structure.

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Closed Title:How do I find the water service line on my property?

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A water service line generally enters your home or business through an exterior wall, the concrete foundation, or crawl space. Typically, prior to entering a structure, a shut-off valve is installed and found near a hose bibb on the front or side of the structure. The valves may be above ground level for ease of access and use, and/or just below ground level.

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SERVICE LINE MATERIALS VERIFICATION

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Closed Title:What is service line materials verification?

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The 2021 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) require that water utilities prepare an inventory of all water service line materials, for both customer- and utility-owned service lines.

JEA is proactively completing the service line materials inventory to better protect customers by expediting the removal of lead service lines from the drinking water system. JEA is employing a range of methods to check service line materials, including historical records review, vacuum excavation, statistical analysis, and customer self-reporting.

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Closed Title:How does service line materials verification work?

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If you are chosen as part of our random audit, a JEA contractor will visit your property and dig one or two small holes. These holes will be used to check the pipe and determine if your service line is lead or galvanized steel. The process takes about two hours to dig a small hole, check the pipe material and restore the area to its original appearance. Typically, fences, retaining walls, sidewalks, porches and hedges will not be disturbed in the process and we will not impact your water line. No water outages are expected.

Afterward, we’ll leave information about your service line at your door. You don’t need to be home during the inspection work.

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Closed Title:Will JEA crews or our contractors be entering private property to verify private-side service line materials?

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JEA's contractors will dig the holes in the location of the curb stop valve. The valve is generally located at the water meter. If we need to enter your private property, we will attempt to contact you by knocking on your door or by calling you.

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Closed Title:How do I know if I have a lead or galvanized steel service line that needs to be replaced if I am not chosen as part of the random audit?

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JEA is also requesting that property owners conduct inspections of their own private water service lines for the presence of lead. You can check your own service line using these simple steps:

Step 1: Gather a strong magnet and a key or coin.
Step 2: Find where your service line enters your building — This is likely to be outside of your home near a shut-off valve. In some cases, it may be in a basement, crawl space or utility closet.
Step 3: Test the material of the pipe by scratching it with the key or coin to reveal its color; hold the magnet to the pipe to see if it sticks and take several well-lit photos to capture the results of the test.
Step 4: Compare your results to one of these options:
- If the material is red, blue, black or white, the pipe is plastic.
- If the material is the color of a penny (dull brown or greenish) and a magnet does not stick, the pipe is copper.
- If the material is dark yellow or golden, the pipe is brass.
- If the material is dull gray and a magnet sticks to it, the pipe is galvanized steel.
- If the material is gray, shines brightly, is easily scraped and a magnet does NOT stick to it, the pipe is lead.
Step 5: Report your findings. Upload your photos and your Material Self-Report form to our Customer Portal (link to be added once the portal is active). Your participation is crucial in our ongoing efforts to provide safe, clean drinking water to our community.

Here is a link to the EPA’s online guide to assist you with identifying lead pipes. https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/protect-your-tap-quick-check-lead-0

If your service line is plastic, copper or brass, these materials are generally accepted as safe plumbing for water lines although there’s still a chance that lead fittings or solder could have been used somewhere in your plumbing system. If you are concerned, please contact JEA’s Water Quality line at (904) 665-4521 or wtrqual@jea.com to schedule to have your water tested.

If your service line is lead or galvanized steel, consider replacing your service line. The cost of replacing the customer-side of the service line is currently the responsibility of the property owner.

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Closed Title:I am unable to identify my private service line material. Can JEA assist me?

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Yes. If you are not part of our initial random field audit and are unable to test your own service line, JEA can assist with identifying your private service line. Please contact us to schedule an appointment at (904) 665-4521 or wtrqual@jea.com. This will be completed at no cost to you.

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Closed Title:How do I report my private water service line material to JEA?

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You can report the results of your service line materials to JEA using our online Material Self-Report form found at our Customer Portal (link to be added once the portal is active). JEA will use this information to complete the service line inventory for our water service territory.

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Closed Title:If my home's or business’s plumbing has a lead service line or lead solder, how can I protect myself?

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If you think your service line is made of lead or contains a lead solder (a metal alloy made of lead and tin to join pipes together), take the following steps to lessen your chances of lead exposure:

Run your tap water for at least five minutes before drinking or cooking to flush out stagnant water and receive fresh water from the water main.
Use fresh, cold, running water for drinking, cooking or preparing baby formula.
Remove and clean faucet screens and aerators every six months.
Buy plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, sinks, hose bibs, etc.) with zero- or low-lead content that meets the current “lead-free’ requirements.
Use a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)-certified home water treatment device, faucet or pitcher filter that removes lead. The device must be both NSF 42- and NSF-53-certified to remove lead.

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Closed Title:What if I would like to have my private lead service lines replaced now?

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Property owners have the option to hire a licensed plumber to replace their lead private water service line. The cost of replacing the customer-side of the service line is currently the responsibility of the property owner. Certain municipalities also allow for the replacement of your own plumbing IF you are the property owner. Please check with your corresponding permitting agency for your own city or county.
If you decide to go ahead with the replacement, please contact our Water Quality team at (904) 665-4521 or wtrqual@jea.com to schedule an onsite review and assistance with any part of the service line that might be JEA’s responsibility.
JEA does not currently offer reimbursement for private water service line replacements. However, we're monitoring federal legislation that may provide financial assistance in the future. We will inform our customers if such options become available.

You can learn more about this pending legislation referred to as the Lead Copper Rule Improvement (LCRI). The EPA is currently inviting members of the public to review the proposal, which can be found online.

Proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements | US EPA

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Closed Title:What are future EPA requirements associated with the service line inventories?

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Additional guidance and Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) from EPA are coming out later in 2024. JEA will know more when this has been released. This may include changes to the lead service line replacement plans.

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Closed Title:What should I do if I’m concerned about lead in my drinking water?

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You may contact JEA’s Water Quality team at (904) 665-4521 or wtrqual@jea.com and request that your water be tested.

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Closed Title:What do I do if I suspect lead poisoning?

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Contact the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline immediately at 1-800-424-5323 or visit the EPA website to complete an online form located at https://www.epa.gov/lead/forms/national-lead-information-center-document-request-form

The EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline is also available to answer your questions and concerns at 1-800-424-5323 or visit the EPA website to complete an online question form.

https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/forms/online-form-epas-office-ground-water-and-drinking-water

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Closed Title:Are there any programs currently available to assist property owners with the replacement of copper or lead pipe service lines on private property?

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Federal and/or state affordable housing funds may be available through the City of Jacksonville’s Housing and Community Development Division’s Utility Tap-In Program (UTIP) https://www.coj.net/departments/neighborhoods/housing-and-community-development/housing-services/programs/homeowners/utility-tap-in-program.

This financial assistance is for qualified owner-occupied homeowners in the form of a deferred payment loan, which pays for all costs associated with repairing or replacing plumbing, septic tanks, and wells. This program is available to Duval County residents only and is subject to funding availability.

If would like more information on the program qualification requirements, please contact the Housing and Community Development Division at (904) 255-8229.