Caldwell, ID
Home MenuHappening Now
The Environmental Protection Agency now requires all drinking water utilities to have a service line inventory of both the customer and utility side of the water meter. The customer side of the service line is the water line that connects your home from the water meter to the home/business on the customer’s property. The utility side of the service line connects the water main in the street to the water meter. The City of Caldwell is conducting a survey of all customer homes/businesses to meet this requirement. Participation in the survey is most important if your home was constructed in 1984 or earlier.
What can you do?
Please! Participate in the City of Caldwell Service Line Survey!
The City of Caldwell Water Department’s goal is to have a complete and accurate water service line inventory as soon as possible, and we cannot do this without customer participation.
Please see the diagram below to understand what a water service line is, and how it enters your house.
We are asking for your help to determine the material on the privately-owned (customer) side of the service line. If you already know what your service line material is, please go to option 1 below. If you do not, that is okay; there are two easy ways to determine your service line material. It only involves going into your basement or crawl space to see what type of pipe is entering your home. We have a quick video that can help determine where the service line enters the home and the type of material.
Option 1 – If you already know what material your service line is, please select the link for option 1 to fill out a quick survey to enter your information. Link to survey here.
Option 2 – You can schedule an appointment by calling (208) 455-3070, Option 3 and speaking with the Water Department directly or emailing msenner@cityofcaldwell.org.
City of Caldwell Drinking Water Service Line Dashboard
Click this link to find your service line material. Currently, we have many unknown materials on both the private customer-owned side and the public utility-owned side. We urge you to participate in the survey to help us build a better and more accurate inventory. Please use the links above to let us know your service line material. You can also schedule an appointment using the survey as well.
Steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead in your drinking water
| Steps | Reason |
|---|---|
| Run your water to flush out lead. | If water has not been used for several hours, run water for at least 15-30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking. Note: You may want to capture the initial running water for uses or then drinking or cooking, such as for watering plants. |
| Regularly clean faucet aerators (screens). | Removes particulate matter that may contain lead. |
| Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. | Lead dissolves more easily into hot water. |
| Do not boil water to remove lead. | Boiling water will not reduce lead, it will actually increase the concentration. |
| Use a water filter that is approved to remove lead from drinking water. | To be sure the filter is approved to remove lead, you can call NSF at 1-800-NSF-8010 or visit www.nsf.org for performance standard on water filters. |
| Test your water for lead. | You may wish to have your drinking water tested by a local licensed laboratory.
Analytical
Laboratories Inc. in Boise, Idaho will accept samples from the public. You will need to contact
them for pricing. City of Caldwell staff will reach out directly to properties most likely to be actively utilizing lead service lines. |
| Identify if your plumbing fixtures contain lead (replace if necessary). | Brass faucets, fittings, and valves including those advertised as “lead free,” may contribute lead to drinking water. The law currently allows end-use fixtures, such as faucets, with wetted surfaces containing a maximum weighted average of 0.25% lead to be labeled as “lead-free.” Note: Prior to January 4, 2014, fixtures could contain up to 8% lead and be labeled as “lead-free.” Visit the NSF website at www.nsf.org to learn more about lead-containing plumbing fixtures. |
Lead Health Effects
Lead can cause damage to the brain and kidneys in adults. In children under the age of seven, it can slow development, potentially causing learning problems. For this reason, use of lead-containing solder, service lines, and plumbing components were banned in the U.S. in 1986. However, they remain in portions of the country’s drinking water infrastructure, which largely pre-dates the ban. These metals are typically found in older water systems installed in northern cities.
In 1991, the EPA published a regulation to control lead and copper in drinking water. This regulation is known as the Lead and Copper Rule (also referred to as LCR). Although LCR has resulted in reductions in lead in drinking water, the EPA recently approved comprehensive revisions to the rule to strengthen its public health protections and clarify its implementation requirements. Since early 2019, the City of Caldwell has been anticipating these changes and developing a strategy to implement new regulations.
To learn more about the health effects of lead, please visit the EPA’s website.
Timeline
1995
The most recent time City of Caldwell’s public water system had a detectible level of lead found within the water system.
March 16, 2021
The EPA’s final rule became effective and extends a 3-year period in which utilities like the City of Caldwell’s Water Department are required to take any needed measures to meet the updated compliance standards. The new changes in the rule will be implemented by October 2024.
Lead and Copper Rule Sampling
June 2023 – September of 2023
Routine compliance sampling of customer homes will take place. Kits will be mailed out to customers in June 2023. These are the same homes that have been in the City’s sampling pool for many years prior that meet the plumbing material requirements per the initial LCR
January 2024 – December 2024
Water customers whose homes meet the new LCRR Tier level requirements will be contacted to participate in the compliance lead and copper sampling and/or inspections.
Elementary School and Daycare Lead Sampling
January 2024
Will begin contacting Caldwell School District and Vallivue School District and Licensed Daycare Facilities to establish sampling plans.
January 2024 – December 2030
Each elementary school and daycare will be sampled during this time period. Sample results will be posted on the City of Caldwell Website. Sampling for lead is not required at middle schools or high schools, but any school that requests that their water be tested, the City will collect samples and post results.
Results will be provided to customers, schools and daycare providers within 72 hours of the receipt of the results from our contract laboratory.