Community Service Line Inventory Update
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) are developing a national Community Service Line Inventory to identify materials that make up water lines that serve each property. Town of Berryville staff have been reviewing water line data through construction and maintenance records for properties served by Town utilities. Please note that the Town of Berryville has never exceeded the action levels for lead contaminants as determined by the VDH Office of Water Programs.
All residences and businesses served by Town of Berryville utilities for which we do not have water line records will receive a letter requesting you call Jean Petti, the Deputy Town Manager, at 540-955-1099, or email her at deputytownmanager@berryvilleva.gov.
Mrs. Petti will provide directions for determining the material of your water service line. Appointments are available for anyone who requires assistance. The Community Service Line Inventory is available for public review and all households who may be at risk of lead exposure will be notified by the Town.
Instructions for determining your water service line material:
- Locate the service line entry point through your exterior wall, basement, crawlspace, or other location where the pipe enters your home from your water meter. This is normally “upstream” of your water heater.
- Measure the circumference of the pipe by wrapping a piece of string around the pipe, marking the point where the ends meet, then straightening the string out beside a ruler or measuring tape. Most residential pipes are 6cm in circumference.
- If the pipe looks and feels like plastic, it is made of plastic. Skip to Step 6.
- Place a magnet on the pipe to determine if the material used is magnetic. If the magnet sticks to the pipe, the pipe is made of galvanized steel. Skip to Step 6.
- Carefully scratch the pipe with a key or coin. If the scratched pipe is copper in color, it is made of copper. If the scratched pipe is silver, it may be made of lead.
- Take a photo of the pipe and submit it by email to deputytownmanager@berryvilleva.gov with your service address in the email subject line. In the body of the email, please indicate the material and circumference of the water line.