Lead exposure, even in small amounts, may cause health problems.
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In 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the Lead & Copper Rule (LCR), a series of regulations aimed at protecting public health by reducing the potential for exposure to lead through drinking water. These revisions added new measures focused on reducing exposure to lead from the nation’s public water systems and plumbing in private homes and businesses. The EPA’s revised LCR contains a new requirement that all public water systems nationwide develop an “initial inventory” of their community’s water service lines and connections, including all the water lines and connections on private properties.
FACT SHEET: Lead Pipe & Paint Action Plan
What is the Service Line Inventory?
In 1986, the EPA banned the installation of lead service lines. The rule went into effect in 1988, meaning that service lines installed before this date could have potentially contained lead. The LCCR requires that utilities create an inventory of the material used in service lines in their community. Service lines are the pipes that connect homes and businesses to the water main.
The revised LCR reporting will take effect in October 2024. BMU is requesting your help to identify the types of service line materials used at your residence if your home was built prior to 2014.Your portion of the service line is the pipe that connects your home or building to our water meter, BMU’s portion of the service line connects the water meter to our water main. Water service lines could be made of lead, copper, galvanized metal, or plastic. To help us identify the type of line used at your home, simply fill out our digital survey . Questions? Give us a call, 573-471-3328.
BMU’s drinking water does NOT contain lead. However, homes built in Sikeston before 1991 when the use of lead service lines and plumbing fixtures with lead components were more common could cause lead in the residents' water through a corrosion or leaching process. Elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from a variety of materials associated with service lines and customers plumbing fixtures. * See the health effects of lead here.
What steps does BMU take to ensure the safety of drinking water in our community?
- BMU staff began several years ago reviewing and verifying the types of materials used in our service line installations and have already replaced most of our service lines that connect the water meter to the water main.
- BMU water operators add a treatment to our water at each of our water plants that helps to prevent lead from leaching into the water from the older lines and fixtures in your home.
- BMU collects samples and performs routine testing on our water to ensure that our water meets all state and federal water quality requirements. (*see table below)
- BMU performs hydrant flushing maintenance to keep our distribution lines free of sedimentary materials.
- BMU schedules comprehensive inspections on the interior of our water tank storage facilities every 5 years.
| FREQUENCY | TEST | SAMPLE LOCATION |
| Daily | Iron, Manganese, Chlorine, Alkalinity, Hardness | Water Plants- RAW Water |
| Daily | Iron, Manganese, Chlorine, Alkalinity, Hardness | Water Plants - after treatment |
| Daily | PH, temperature, chlorine, Iron manganese | Water Plants - clear wells |
| 5X Weekly (Min. 20/Month) | BAC-T (bacteriological test) | Hydrants - throughout Distribution System |
| Quarterly | VOC’s - Volatile Organic Compounds | Water Plants or Hydrants |
| Quarterly | Fluoride | Water Plants or Hydrants |
| Annually | Metal Testing | Water Plants or Hydrants |
| Annually | TTHM (Trihalomethanes), Haloacetic Acids | Wells or Hydrants |
| Every 3 Years | Lead and Copper | Individual Homes |
Check out our annual water quality reports for more information! Annual Water Quality Report
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