Re: Action Required
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: YOUR DRINKING WATER SERVICE LINE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS GALVANIZED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT

Dear Customer:

As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and quality of your drinking water, the Albertson Water District (AWD) has recently completed a survey of service lines within our community to meet United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory requirements. We continuously prioritize protecting the health of every resident in our community which is why we are writing to inform you of an important matter concerning the water service lines in your areas.

ACTION REQUIRED: According to our records, the Albertson Water District has identified that a part of, or the entire length of, the service line that delivers drinking water to your home/building is made of galvanized steel that needs replacement and we would like to confirm. Please contact us to schedule an inspection.

We regularly test for lead at the end of our treatment process. Testing has shown that lead is not an issue in the water leaving any of our water treatment facilities. We also conduct testing in our distribution system in accordance with EPA regulatory requirements. Please share this information with anyone who drinks and/or cooks using water at this property. This can include employees, tenants, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, businesses, childcares or daycares, in addition to any person directly served at this property.

Today, there is a growing awareness that some older homes may have lead or galvanized pipes containing lead-based connectors and fixtures. By October 16, 2024, the EPA required every water provider in the nation to develop and submit a water service line inventory identifying the pipes connecting the water main to a property, home or business. The AWD has completed the initial service line inventory and is now notifying residents of their service line material according to AWD’s records. If you don’t already know, it is important for you to be aware of the composition of the materials of your service line.

The current service line inventory for the entire District is available for viewing online on our website at www.albertsonwater.org or at our office located at 184 Shepherd Lane, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577. The information will also soon be available on the New York State Department of Health website at https://health.data.ny.gov.

What is a Galvanized Service Line Requiring Replacement (GSLRR)?

A service line is the pipe connecting the water main to the building. In the District, as the residential property owner, you own the water service line from inside the house to the curb shutoff valve or curb stop, and are responsible for any repairs or upgrades to the water service, while the District owns and maintains the remainder. A GSLRR is a service line that is made of galvanized steel and:

  • was downstream of a lead service line, or
  • was downstream of an unknown material, or
  • is downstream of an unknown material.

The figure below represents a typical scenario for a water service line in many cases, but does not represent all scenarios:

Redrawn and modified from Guidance for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory, EPA, August 2022

Redrawn and modified from Guidance for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory, EPA, August 2022

Either a part of a lead service line was replaced, or we don’t know if there is or was a lead service line upstream of your galvanized service line. A galvanized service line is a potential source of lead as it can absorb lead from a lead service line and release it to drinking water later. Until it can be confirmed that the entire length of your service line is not made of lead we will continue to provide information about lead in drinking water once a year so you can take precautionary measures to minimize your potential exposure to lead in drinking water. We encourage you to have a professional plumber evaluate whether the internal plumbing, connections, or fixtures are constructed of or contain lead materials. If confirmed that lead is present, it should be replaced. Discuss the replacement options available with your plumber/contractor. Please keep us informed when this work is proposed to be completed, and when it has been completed so we may update our records accordingly.

More information on lead, including steps that can be taken to reduce your exposure to lead, can be found in the enclosed brochure, and information regarding the presence of lead within our District is included in our Annual Water Quality Report, which can be found on our website at www.albertsonwater.org.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding. Should you have any questions or concerns about this consumer notification, you can contact us at the office at (516) 621-3610 or contact the NCDH at (516) 227- 9692.

Sincerely,
Albertson Water District