Winston Salem Times

WSFC Utilities is seeking assistance from its water customers to comply with a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandate. The directive requires public water utilities nationwide to identify the material of every service line in their systems, focusing on detecting any remaining lead pipes.

For over two decades, WSFC Utilities has delivered tap water that meets or exceeds federal quality standards, including those for lead. The utility now calls on residential and commercial customers to aid in meeting these new EPA requirements.

Customers are encouraged to visit cityofws.org/pipes and access the online Customer Service Line Inventory. This process involves identifying the private service line, which runs from the water meter to the shutoff valve inside homes or businesses.

The initial set of local data has been submitted, but WSFC Utilities urges those who have not yet self-reported to do so promptly. Completing this task will help avoid unnecessary expenditure of time and resources during this identification phase.

To ensure accurate identification of service lines, customers should locate their shutoff valves and complete the self-reporting process by uploading a digital photo of their service line via cityofws.org/pipes. The process is designed to be quick, taking less than 15 minutes with a smartphone or tablet.

The utility emphasizes that staff cannot enter private properties due to the new EPA rule, making customer participation crucial. Although lead exposure is reportedly less problematic in warmer climates like theirs, WSFC Utilities assures that treated tap water since 1992 has minimized risks through an approved corrosion control method.

Lead exposure can pose significant health risks across all age groups, including cognitive impairments in children and increased risks of cardiovascular and neurological issues in adults. Further information about potential replacement programs will be provided as part of future program phases.

For additional details and frequently asked questions, customers can visit cityofws.org/pipes or contact CityLink through various methods available at cityofws.org/citylink.