Service Line Inventory

On December 16, 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule. The goal of this rule is to further protect public health from lead in drinking water. The rule requires public water systems to inventory and classify materials of service lines and if found, remove lead services from their distribution systems. This also involves identifying the service line material on the property owner’s side of the water meter.  

The Safe Drinking Water Act officially banned the use of lead in plumbing in 1986. However, there is a lot of evidence, especially in Colorado, that the use of lead service lines ceased being installed much earlier.

What is the Water Service Line?

 The water service line is what supplies your home or business with water. The water main is located out in the street, and a smaller pipe that is tapped into the water main is routed towards the property to a meter pit. The water line past the meter is owned by the property owner, and is connected to the indoor plumbing.

Clifton Water District Service Lines

Clifton Water District has followed the requirements provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) for identifying service line materials in the water distribution system.  The service line material investigation confirmed the absence of lead in the distribution system. On October 2, 2024, Clifton Water District submitted a Non-Lead Service Line Inventory Report to CDPHE. 

 Clifton Water District was established in 1951 and did not begin installing water services until 1957.  There are no records of Clifton Water installing lead service lines. Original distribution construction documents and specifications from 1956 show that copper service lines were to be installed.

Later in the 1970s and 80s, black polyethylene services were installed instead of copper as new development increased. This is likely due to lower costs and easier installation.

Service Line Materials Investigation

Clifton Water has a black poly service line replacement program in which these older services are replaced with copper. The replacement program as well as maintaining records of leak repairs on service lines has assisted with verifying the absence of lead.

In addition to repair or service line replacement records, the oldest service line taps on record with Clifton Water District were visually inspected to confirm the absence of lead.

The investigation included service line materials on the property owner side of the meter.