Cedar Rapids need property owners' assistance updating water service-line record

Iowa's News Now

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Iowa's News Now) — The Cedar Rapids Water Division (CRWD) is asking for property owners’ assistance as the division works to update its records of water service lines. A service line is the connection between the water distribution pipes in the street and the water meter in a customer’s home or business. An updated citywide inventory is required under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s recently revised Lead-Copper rule.

Some older houses and buildings in Cedar Rapids still utilize lead plumbing, or may have a lead service line between the water meter and water main. Lead can leach into water during overnight contact with lead pipes and faucets in older buildings. To reduce the risk of dissolved lead from old pipes, CRWD adds lead corrosion control to its water supply. This consists of a very low concentration of zinc ortho-phosphate, a mineral that reduces the risk of dissolved lead in consumers’ water. This small amount has long been proven safe for consumption.