Lead and Copper
SUBSTANCE UNITS
ACTION LEVEL
NO. OF SITES EXCEEDING ACTION LEVEL
90 % PERCENTILE
DETECTED RANGE
Lead( 2023) 3 * ppb AL = 15 0 1.3 ND-5.34
Copper( 2023) 3 * ppm AL = 1.3 0 0.175 0.015-0.357
POSSIBLE SOURCE OF SUBSTANCE
Corrosion of household plumbing systems
Corrosion of household plumbing systems
3Instead of MCLs for lead and copper, EPA requires that 90 % of water samples obtained from customers’ taps contain less than the Action Level for each metal. * Most recent testing cycle as required by the TCEQ.
The City of Arlington tests for lead every three years at 50 sites across the city, as required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Results gathered in 2023 showed zero samples reading above the action level for lead or copper, which is set by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency( EPA). Because of its history of testing results registering well below established limits, Arlington’ s lead testing frequency was decreased from every six months to a three year schedule by the TCEQ. If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Arlington Water Utilities is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials use in plumbing components.
Older homes( built before 1930) are more likely to have plumbing fixtures containing lead. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds
Reservoirs
Distribution
Raw Water Pump Station
Pre-Ozonation
Clearwell Storage
Mixing Sedimentation chamber Basin
Secondary Disinfection( Chloramine)
Coagulation Basin
Primary Disinfection( Ozone)
to two minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www. epa. gov / safewater / lead. A service line inventory has been prepared and can be accessed at ArlingtonTX. gov / sli.
Filters
Diagram of the water treatment process
Be In The Know
The City of Arlington is preparing for new federal rules for community water providers scheduled to go into effect in 2027. That includes:
Several parts of the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency( EPA) in 2024 will go into effect in 2027, including a requirement for lead testing at daycares and schools every five years, unless a facility chooses to opt out. Arlington has already started encouraging childcare centers to take part in a free Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Lead Testing in School and Childcare Program. The City will continue this outreach and coordination with the TCEQ program while preparing to comply with the testing rule. Also in 2027, the EPA and TCEQ will require that Arlington Water Utilities submit a replacement plan for privately-owned water service lines identified as“ galvanized requiring replacement.” Private water lines made of galvanized steel were found in a 2024 service line inventory that the City was required to conduct. The inventory found that none of Arlington’ s water service lines were made of lead and no public water mains were made of galvanized steel.
Public water systems must begin regular monitoring for certain PFAS compounds, also known as“ forever chemicals,” in 2027. Arlington tested for the presence of these chemicals in 2023 and 2024 as part of the EPA’ s monitoring program for unregulated contaminants. The water produced at both of the City’ s water treatment plants was in compliance with the new standards going into effect. To make sure Arlington’ s tap water stays in compliance, Arlington Water Utilities has started a pilot project to determine the best way to lower the average perfluorooctanesulfonic acid or PFOS( one of the PFAS compounds) in water produced at the Arlington’ s Pierce-Burch Water Treatment Plant.
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