Important Message
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Important Message
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On November 30th, 2023, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set forth the proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) with the goal of achieving 100% lead pipe replacement within 10 years. In general, the rule requires utilities to investigate water service line materials, and make upgrades if lead pipes are found.
Florida Administrative Code Rule 62-555.322 went into effect on January 18th, 1989 and required that any pipe, fitting, solder, or flux used in the construction of any potable water system be lead-free. This date, in comparison to the construction date of your home, was used as a basis for classifying the material of your water service connection. If your home was built after the 1989 ban on lead in water systems, your service line is classified as “non-lead.” While it is believed that lead was not used for any service lines in The Villages® Community, homes built prior to 1989 cannot be guaranteed as having non-leaded service lines and become classified as having an “unknown” material.
Trey Arnett, the principal engineer at Vikus Water, explains the Lead and Copper Rule Initiative.
The most significant potential source of lead contamination in water systems comes from lead service lines, if they exist. Your water service line connects your home’s plumbing to the water distribution main located in the right-of-way. Part of your water service line is owned by you, the homeowner, and part is owned by the District. The District-owned portion of your water service line extends from the water main to the water meter located outside your home. You own the portion of the water service line from the meter to your home.
Your utility service provider, VCCDD-VCSA, will investigate the water service material that is currently installed and is servicing your home. While it is not anticipated that any home in The Villages Community has a lead service line, there are some areas where this needs to be physically confirmed.
Based on the construction date of your home, the material of your portion of the water service line may be identified as “unknown.” Classifying your water service line material as “Unknown” does not mean it is confirmed to be made of lead or contains lead. This classification only acknowledges that insufficient information is available to verify your water service line is non-leaded.
Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.
VCSA is currently planning a water meter replacement program. During this program, the District contractor will manually document the material of water service connections on both sides of the water meter. This program will allow for greater confidence in the quality and safety of our water systems, and provide an opportunity to confirm that individual connections to you and your neighbors’ homes are lead-free.
As soon as VCDD-VCSA has completed the process for documenting the material of the water service lines on both sides of the water meter, you will be notified of the results and informed of any actions to be taken, if any. This process anticipates evolving during a two-year period. As noted, it is believed that lead was not used for any service lines in The Villages Community, but to comply with the EPA rule, this will be confirmed.
However, if you would like to verify the material of your service line prior to the program timing, you may have a licensed plumber investigate the pipe between your water meter and your home.
It is important to understand the distinction between “low lead” and “lead-free” classifications in the context of water system components.
“Low-Lead” materials, as stipulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1986, are those containing less than 8% lead.
In 2014, the Safe Drinking Water Act was revised to define “lead-free” materials as having no more than 0.25% lead.
If you would like more information about lead free requirements, please click below.
If you are interested in testing the quality of your home’s water, it is recommended to consult a Certified Drinking Water Laboratory in your area.
For more information, call our Utility Billing Customer Service Line at 352-750-0000. For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s website or contact your health care provider.
Florida has a very broad Public Records Law. Most written communications to or from State and Local Officials regarding State or Local business are public records available to the public and media upon request.
To submit a digital request please click below:
Or, please forward requests to:
Jennifer Farlow, District Clerk
3571 Kiessel Road, The Villages, FL 32163
Jennifer.Farlow@DistrictGov.org
Phone No. (352) 751-3939 | Fax No. (352) 753-6430
Florida law prohibits the Board of Supervisors from communicating with residents about Deed Compliance or Architectural Review issues/cases.
To report any concerns, please submit a digital request or contact the Community Standards Department directly at: DeedCompliance@DistrictGov.org
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
