FAQs

Are all residential, commercial, and industrial property owners being asked to complete the survey?

No, only customers at locations where the service line material is still unknown are being asked to complete the survey.
Do all galvanized water service lines need to be replaced?

No. Only galvanized service lines that are currently or were previously downstream of a lead service line will need to be replaced.
Do all lead service lines contaminate drinking water?

Not necessarily. All lead service lines can potentially leach lead into drinking water, but Charles County carefully manages the water chemistry in the distribution system to help prevent this. Lead gets into drinking water through leaching from lead-containing pipe, faucets, and solder sometimes found in the plumbing of older buildings.
Do the revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule mean I have lead pipes?

No. A primary purpose of the revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule is simply to identify the material of all water service lines to enhance customer awareness. Identifying out-of-date materials, including lead, is the first step toward eliminating them from the distribution system.
How do I determine what material my water service line is made of?

Instructions for identifying your service line material can be found under the Service Line Assurance Initiative Resources section of the Service Line Assurance Initiative webpage once the survey has been launched.

More FAQs

Public Works
Mattawoman Office (Utilities)

301-609-7400
5310 Hawthorne Rd.
La Plata, MD 20646

Charles County Service Line Assurance Initiative

Service Line Assurance Initiative Web Banner

About the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) in 2021 to enhance lead protections in drinking water across the country. In accordance with the revised rule, utilities are required for the first time to submit a complete inventory of water service lines in their respective distribution systems by Oct. 16, 2024.

We want to assure our customers that the likelihood of finding lead service lines in Charles County is low since lead was banned in the construction of water pipes in Maryland in 1972.

About Service Line Assurance Initiative

To comply with the LCRR, Charles County has launched the Service Line Assurance Initiative. The primary aim is to identify all service lines in our water distribution system to complete and submit the required inventory to the EPA by the October deadline. To facilitate this effort, we are enlisting the public’s assistance.

Although lead was discontinued in water piping construction in 1972, there are some properties where the service line is listed as being constructed from an unknown material. Customers identified as having an unknown service line are being asked to complete a self-reporting survey, which you can access below. These customers will likely receive further communications from the County via the mail requesting their participation in the self-reporting survey.

To determine your service line material, access the Charles County Service Line Inventory Map. Type in your address. If the customer side of your status is unknown, you will be prompted to take the survey.

Charles County Service Line Inventory Map

Self-Reporting Survey

Although Charles County does not have a record of publicly owned lead service lines, we need your help to comply with EPA’s revised rule and identify areas where lead lines may still exist. It is for this reason that the County is requesting that all customers with an unknown service line material fill out and submit a self-reporting survey.

The survey information will be used to update the inventory available on this webpage. The inventory is a major component of the LCRR and must be updated and submitted to the EPA annually.

Please click the button below to access the survey. Self-Reporting Survey Instructions are available on the survey page and also in the Resources section below.

Resources

High-quality drinking water is a top priority for Charles County. Our key goal is to provide customers with the resources and materials needed to navigate and understand the LCRR, how it impacts you, and any action you may need to take. Please click on the links below for more information and further guidance.

More information on lead in drinking water from the EPA: Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water | US EPA.