Annapolis, MD: The City of Annapolis provides more than a billion gallons of safe, clean, affordable, and reliable water annually to residents and businesses in the Annapolis community. Annapolis water is delivered through a comprehensive water distribution and storage system that is constantly monitored, modernized, and repaired (when needed). While Annapolis does not have a problem with lead service lines or lead levels in drinking water, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that every water provider in the nation conduct a Water Line Inventory of service lines.
The City has completed the inventory on City water service lines, but now we need help to check the status of private customer lines inside homes and businesses. DPW is requesting that members of the public undertake a customer Water Line Inventory by completing a self-reporting survey. Participating is easy and should only take a few minutes.
Please note: Only locations where the service line material is unknown on the customer-side are being asked to complete the survey. To find out if your home or business is part of the survey, please visit the Water Service Line Program self-reporting survey website, www.annapolis.gov/2162/Water-Service-Line-Program, which offers a geographic map of all households and businesses in Annapolis. Click on your home/business address and begin the survey process. If your residence has a green symbol on the map, you are not required to complete the survey.
If your residence requires a survey per the map, you will be asked to complete the survey by undertaking a scratch test and magnet test. To complete the test(s), you will need: a magnet, a penny or key, a smart phone or digital camera (maybe a flashlight if the water service line is not in a well-lit area of your home).
To find out where your home’s water line is located, first locate the water meter (typically in the front yard) and then follow a straight line into your home. Check the basement, crawlspace or utility closet to find the main water shut-off valve and this is where you will use your tools to conduct the tests.
Lastly, take a photo of the water line where it enters your home. Once you have your test results and photo, return to the water service line inventory website to enter the results.
Please note: City of Annapolis staff will never show up to your door unsolicited to perform an inspection of your service line.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: Information about the materials will be added to the inventory submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment and posted online per the EPA’s requirements. Service lines constructed of outdated materials will be flagged for replacement in the long term and the City will work with property owners in the short term to mitigate the dangers of lead leaching into drinking water and posing a hazard.
Lastly, the City of Annapolis has no records to indicate that lead service lines were ever installed. In 1936, Anne Arundel County prohibited the use of lead in the construction of water lines. Still, City officials know this is the right thing to do for the health, safety and peace-of-mind of water customers and we thank the public for helping the City to complete the Water Line Inventory.
