FAQs

Are all residential, commercial, and industrial property owners being asked to complete the survey?

No, only customers at locations where the service line material is still unknown are being asked to complete the survey.
Do all galvanized water service lines need to be replaced?

No. Only galvanized service lines that are currently or were previously downstream of a lead service line will need to be replaced.
Do all lead service lines contaminate drinking water?

Not necessarily. All lead service lines can potentially leach lead into drinking water, but Charles County carefully manages the water chemistry in the distribution system to help prevent this. Lead gets into drinking water through leaching from lead-containing pipe, faucets, and solder sometimes found in the plumbing of older buildings.
Do the revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule mean I have lead pipes?

No. A primary purpose of the revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule is simply to identify the material of all water service lines to enhance customer awareness. Identifying out-of-date materials, including lead, is the first step toward eliminating them from the distribution system.
How do I determine what material my water service line is made of?

Instructions for identifying your service line material can be found under the Service Line Assurance Initiative Resources section of the Service Line Assurance Initiative webpage once the survey has been launched.

More FAQs

Public Works
Mattawoman Office (Utilities)

301-609-7400
5310 Hawthorne Rd.
La Plata, MD 20646

Charles County Service Line Assurance Initiative

Service Line Assurance Initiative Web Banner

About

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) to enhance lead protections in drinking water across the country. In accordance with the revised rule, water utilities are required for the first time to submit a complete inventory of water service lines in their respective distribution systems. To meet the requirements of the LCRR, Charles County launched the Service Line Assurance Initiative (SLAI) and successfully submitted an initial inventory to the Maryland Department of the Environmental (MDE) by the October 2024 deadline.

Complying with LCRR is an ongoing process and we are continuing our efforts to meet all requirements as well as preparing for the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which come into effect in November 2027.

About the Service Line Assurance Initiative?

Charles County launched SLAI in 2024 with the primary goal to identify all service lines in our water distribution system for our inventory. To facilitate this effort, we are enlisting the public’s assistance.

Although lead was discontinued in water piping construction in 1972, there are some properties where the construction year is unknown, therefore the service line is listed as being constructed from an unknown material. Customers identified as having an unknown service line are being asked to complete a self-reporting survey, which you can access below. These customers will likely receive further communications from the County until their service line is verified to be non-lead.

As we move forward with LCRR and LCRI compliance, our focus remains keeping customers informed through transparency, trust, and open communication. We want to assure you that the water supplied by Charles County exceeds all state and federal quality standards and contains no lead when it leaves our treatment facilities. Since Maryland banned the use of lead pipes in 1972, the likelihood of finding lead service lines in our distribution system is very low.

To determine your service line material, access the Charles County Service Line Inventory Map. Type in your address. If the customer side of your status is unknown, you will be prompted to take the survey. Please follow the instructions carefully before submitting your survey responses to ensure they are accepted into our inventory.

Charles County Service Line Inventory Map

Self-Reporting Survey

Although Charles County does not have a record of publicly owned lead service lines, we need your help to comply with EPA’s regulations and identify areas where lead lines may still exist. It is for this reason that the County is requesting that all customers with an unknown service line material fill out and submit a self-reporting survey.

The survey information will be used to update the inventory available on this webpage. The inventory is a major component of the LCRR and must be updated and submitted to the EPA annually.

Please click the button below to access the survey. Self-Reporting Survey Instructions are available on the survey page and also in the Resources section below. NOTE: If your submission does not meet the criteria listed in the instructions, we will not be able to accept the information and update our inventory.

Resources

High-quality drinking water is a top priority for Charles County. Our key goal is to provide customers with the resources and materials needed to navigate and understand the LCRR, how it impacts you, and any action you may need to take. Please click on the links below for more information and further guidance.

More information on lead in drinking water from the EPA: Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water | US EPA.