Lead exposure, even in small amounts, may cause health problems especially in vulnerable populations (children, pregnant women, elderly). Our records won’t show the pipe materials of household plumbing beyond your water meter. Look for the types of pipes in your household plumbing system if your house was built before 1991, see the printable resources at the bottom of this page for help with customer self identification of lead.  CLICK HERE TO SEE THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF LEAD EXPOSURE 

WHAT HOMEOWNERS NEED TO KNOW
EPA-Identified Lead Sources
Lead Service Lines: Pipes connecting the water main to the home's plumbing are the largest source of lead.
Lead Goose Necks and Pigtails: Short, bendable pipes connecting the main to the service line.
Galvanized Pipes: Lead particles can adhere to the inside of these pipes and release over time.
Indoor Plumbing and Faucets: Fixtures, soldered joints, and pipes in homes built before 1986 can contain high levels of lead.
Paint: If your home was built before 1978, you may want to have your paint tested for lead.

Conditions Contributing to Lead Exposure
Corrosion: A chemical reaction occurs between the water and plumbing materials, especially when water is corrosive, soft, or has low pH.
Stagnation: Water that sits in pipes for long periods (e.g., after overnight) tends to contain higher concentrations.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized rules requiring the identification and replacement of all lead water service lines across the country, including portions on both public and private property. The updated Lead and Copper Rule Improvements set a roughly 10-year timeline for removal, strengthen testing and reporting requirements, and require utilities to maintain detailed information on lead pipes in the community. While the effort will be costly and complex, especially where lines extend onto private property, the goal is to significantly reduce lead exposure and improve public health nationwide. 

BMU remains committed to protecting public health and ensuring residents are informed about potential safety concerns. In accordance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements, homeowners will receive a letter regarding the potential presence of lead pipes, fixtures, or solder in their home plumbing systems.

Lead exposure can be harmful, so knowing what’s in your home’s plumbing is an important step in protecting your drinking water. Lead has no safe level, and it can find its way into drinking water through old pipes, plumbing, or fixtures. Run taps before use, check your home’s plumbing age, and get your water tested if you’re unsure. Protect your water. Protect your family.

Everyday steps to reduce lead exposure in your drinking water:

• Use a certified lead-reducing filter
• Run cold water for several minutes before using it for cooking or drinking
•Clean faucet aerators regularly
• Use only cold water for baby formula and cooking
• Check for lead plumbing and fixtures
•Test your water every few years

Local lab option: Environmental Analysis South, 4000 East Jackson Blvd., Jackson, MO (573)204-8817. The customer’s cost for a lead & copper analysis is approximately $87.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE OUR DIGITAL LEAD SURVEY TODAY!

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.

EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline:
800-426-4791

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 

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE DIGITAL LEAD SURVEY TODAY!