The City's effort to inventory all pipe materials used in water service lines in Inver Grove Heights is being driven by a mandate from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA wants to better protect communities from the risks of lead exposure by identifying lead pipes within public water systems and within private homes and businesses. Every water system in the United States is required to identify the materials in water pipelines by October 2024. Thus, the City of IGH is required to identify the locations of water pipes that might include lead, so that they can ultimately be replaced with pipes made of non-lead materials.
The City of IGH required that all water service lines be free of lead after 1977. The City tests for lead annually as part of its Consumer Confidence Water Report and the City is confident that all City-owned water service pipes are made of copper or plastic. However, the materials used in private water service lines might not be known.
In the summer of 2024, after this survey is completed by IGH property owners, the City will provide resulting data to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). MDH will review any survey results that indicate unknown pipe material, or any service material that may potentially contain lead. Completing the survey will assist MDH in distributing state and federal funds for future lead pipe removal and will assist the City in planning for future remediation efforts.
Questions about the survey? Call: 763-296-1473 and a representative will guide you through the process.