Pateros issues mandatory survey for lead pipes, cross-connections

PATEROS—One of the major projects that City Administrator Jord Wilson is working on now is a mandatory survey being mailed to every city water user to complete a lead service line inventory and a cross-connections survey to comply with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state Department of Health requirements.

Wilson explained the dual project to the city council at its regular monthly meeting on June 17

The Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Program survey includes instructions from the state Department of Health on how to go through the house and check for lead pipes.

“It’s pretty simple,” said Wilson. “This is mandatory. If you do not turn in the survey, we have to deem it as lead because we don’t know what it is.”

Wilson said the city will follow up with personal contacts with any water account that does not return the survey.

The city has completed part of the lead inspection already. The remaining piece is from meter to house.

“We surveyed all the service lines at the meter, and we have not found any lead in the city,” said Wilson. 

As part of its Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program, the city has included a cross-connection survey to determine who has one or not.

Wilson explained the requirement. “Anytime that you have a swimming pool, a spa, a sprinkler system, booster pump, anything that can overpower the system and reverse water flow back into the community system, you need to have a check valve or restricted device that stops that,” said Wilson. “It’s required by law.”

“These will be mandatory, so if people do not turn them in, we will be making phone calls for the next month,” said Wilson. “

Wilson said property owners can also call city hall and request assistance, and city water staff will respond.

The city’s new website, pateros.com, provides comprehensive additional information about the mandatory programs. Select Departments-Public Works-Water to learn more about both.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media