Public Information About Water Service Lines
The city of Clearwater provides customers with clean and safe drinking water. Our utility follows the regulations set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Water utility providers nationwide must create a public inventory of all water service lines and the materials that make them up. Water service lines are the small pipes that carry water from water mains (which are large pipes usually located in the street) into homes and other buildings.
Lead and Drinking Water
Florida banned the use of lead in water systems in January 1989, but older homes and buildings may still have lead service lines or internal plumbing containing lead. If your home was built before 1990, it is unlikely, but you may have a lead service line. As of September 2024, Clearwater has not found lead service lines within our distribution system to date, but we still must comply with the federal mandate to verify service line materials within our community.
Clearwater’s Actions to Control Lead in Drinking Water
Clearwater has been regularly monitoring its water for lead and the water quality parameters that would cause corrosion of lead lines and lead components in domestic plumbing. Here is a summary of the things the city has done to control lead and reduce corrosion:
- Since the early 1990s, Clearwater has treated water with a polyphosphate or blended ortho-polyphosphate to protect the system's metal pipes from corrosion.
- Annually, Clearwater tests 25 sites and all points of entry for water quality parameters that would indicate corrosion.
- Since 1992, our crews have worked with our customers to regularly sample private plumbing for lead and copper at more than 350 homes of different ages throughout our system.
- Our annual Water Quality Report summarizes our water quality, showing that Clearwater continues to meet and exceed regulatory requirements.
View the Most Recent Water Quality Report
- Clearwater Public Utilities has complied with all FDEP regulations for lead and copper to date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a service line?
Water service lines are the small pipes that carry water from water mains (large pipes usually located in the street) into homes and other buildings.
What types of service lines require replacement?
Lead service lines and some galvanized lines have been identified by the United States' Department of Environmental Protection (EPA) as a risk and must be replaced. If a galvanized service line was once connected to lead components it is classified as GRR (Galvanized Requiring Replacement).
Who is responsible for the water service line on my property?
Property owners are responsible for the service line from the water meter to their home. Clearwater is responsible for the service line from the water main to the property line or water meter.
Why did I get a notice about my service line?
The service line inventory is part of a federal requirement to remove all lead service lines used across the U.S. Clearwater and all other large water systems are required to notify customers if part, or all, of the service line material needs to be identified, or if the customer side of the service line needs to be replaced. If you have a confirmed non-lead service line, you will not receive a notice.
Should my service line be replaced?
In the extremely unlikely event that a lead service line or a galvanized service line that was once connected to lead piping on the city side of the line is found, then it must be replaced pursuant to the federal rule. Otherwise, the customer’s service line and the decision to replace the service line is the responsibility of the homeowner.
What happens if I have a lead service line?
If you know that you have a lead service line, please contact Fred.Hemerick@MyClearwater.com or call Public Utilities at 727-562-4960. We take this very seriously and will work with our customers to reduce the risk from lead and provide education. Per the federal rule, if lead or galvanized service lines that require replacement are found and confirmed, the city must develop a “Lead Service Line Replacement Plan.”
Can you test my water?
If required, Clearwater Public Utilities will test your water. Clearwater has been regularly monitoring its water for lead and the water quality parameters that would cause corrosion of lead lines and lead components in domestic plumbing. Since 1992, our crews have worked with our customers to regularly sample private plumbing for lead and copper at more than 350 homes of different ages throughout our system.
How do I know my water is safe?
Clearwater has been regularly monitoring its water for lead for several years. We also have been closely monitoring the water quality parameters that would cause corrosion of lead lines and lead components in domestic plumbing. Here is a summary of actions the city has taken to control lead and reduce corrosion:
- Since the early 1990s, Clearwater has treated water with a polyphosphate or blended ortho-polyphosphate to protect the system's metal pipes from corrosion.
- Annually, Clearwater tests 25 sites and at all water treatment plants and points where we purchase water, for water quality parameters that would indicate corrosion.
- Our Annual Water Quality Report summarizes our water quality, showing that Clearwater continues to meet and exceed regulatory requirements.
I know what my service line is made of. Can you update it?
Yes, we can update our records when a service line is verified. For a line to be verified in the official inventory, it must be inspected or tested with approved methods. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has created a Customer Guide for Identifying Lead Service Lines to help you.
Customer Guide for Identifying Lead Service Lines
What is the city’s plan to identify all service lines?
Clearwater is working to determine the means and methods required to classify the many unknown service lines. A combination of analytics and physical inspection by staff or contractors may be used. More information on this process will be available soon.
If a service line replacement is required, who pays for the replacement?
If a lead service line or a galvanized service line that was once connected to lead piping on the city’s side of the line is discovered, Clearwater Public Utilities will replace the line as soon as feasible. If we discover a line that requires replacement on the customer side, we will work with the customer to reduce the risk from lead and provide education.
Why is Lead in Drinking Water a Concern?
Lead exposure, even at low levels, can have serious health implications, especially in children. It can cause developmental delays, learning disabilities, and behavioral issues.
The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have an increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney or nervous system problems.
Preventing lead in drinking water is essential for public health. Lead service lines can contaminate water, so identifying and replacing them is crucial to reduce lead exposure. There are also some ways that you, as the consumer, can reduce your exposure to lead:
- Run cold water for 3 to 5 minutes before drinking or cooking. If the water in the faucet has gone unused for more than 6 hours, lead can dissolve in water.
- Do not drink or cook with hot tap water. Lead dissolves more easily into hot water. If you need hot water for cooking, heat cold water on the stove or in the microwave.
- Lead particles and sediment from solder or household plumbing can become trapped in your aerator screen located at the tip of your faucet. Regular cleaning every few months will remove these particles and reduce your potential exposure to lead. This is especially important after household plumbing work and repairs.
- Flush your pipes after plumbing work. When you upgrade or replace plumbing fixtures or pipes, remove the aerators from each faucet and run cold water for 3 to 5 minutes before placing the aerators back to flush out any debris or sediments.
- Consider using a filter. If you decide to purchase a water filter, be sure it reduces lead – not all filters do. NSF International created a Consumer Guide to NSF Certified Lead Filtration Devices for Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water.
- Install lead-free faucets and fixtures. Look for lead certification marks indicating the new product is lead-free, then replace the old faucets and fixtures. As of January 2014, all pipes, fittings and fixtures are required to contain less than 0.25 percent lead.
Learn More About How to Control Lead