EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) Project
MANDAN WORKING TO ‘GET THE LEAD OUT’
New U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules require all communities across the country to identify and replace lead water service lines. Mandan is currently conducting a full inventory of every service line in the city.
What the New Federal Rules Require:
All public water systems must:
- Have a lead service line replacement program in place by 2027
- Replace all lead service lines by 2037 (at least 10% per year starting in 2027)
Lead in water infrastructure can be harmful. Identifying lead lines now will help Mandan qualify for future funding to replace them.
BACKGROUND
In 2024, Mandan residents and businesses began receiving instructions on how to check the material of their water service line. Of the city’s 7,850 service lines, about 3,600+ are still listed as “unknown material.”
The city will continue working to identify all unknown lines through Resident Surveys, Onsite Inspections, and Ongoing Data Collection.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? Per EPA and North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) requirements, you will receive annual notifications about lead and copper water service lines. You can check the status of your service line on Lead Service Line Inventory Map.
If your service line material has already been identified and does not contain lead, no further action is required at this time.
IF YOUR WATER SERVICE LINE IS “UNKNOWN” please:
- Complete the inventory test/survey and upload a photo of your pipe: https://bit.ly/MandanPipes
- Expect Possible Follow-Up: Beginning in February 2026, a representative from the City’s consulting firm, AE2S, may visit your home to request permission to confirm your service line material.
If you cannot access or find the water service line or need help completing the survey, call 701-532-2370 for assistance or to schedule an in-home inspection.
WATER SERVICE LINE INSPECTIONS
AE2S staff members will conduct inspections of service lines that are currently listed as “unknown” on Mandan’s inventory. The names and photos of the inspectors assigned to Mandan can be viewed here. The inspectors will have photo identification badges, clothing, and vehicles marked with the AE2S logo.
Each inspection should take less than 10 minutes to complete.
HOW TO IDENTIFY SERVICE LINE MATERIAL
The water service line is typically located in a utility room – often in the basement – and is attached to your water meter and water shutoff valve.
Test the pipe where it enters your home, in the area BEFORE the shutoff valve. The photos in the sidebar show what the pipe may look like (click to images enlarge).
REDUCING LEAD IN DRINKING WATER
If your water service line has been identified as containing lead, or you are concerned about possible lead in drinking water, the following actions are recommended:
- Clean your aerator. Regularly remove & clean your faucet's screen (aka aerator). Sediment, debris and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
- Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
- Run Your Water to Flush out Lead. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The more time water has been sitting in pipes providing water to your home, the more lead it may contain. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home.
- Should you want to sample the tap at this location for lead because you have received a notice, contact your local public water system for assistance in selection of a certified laboratory (see Additional Services for Testing Lines for Lead sidebar for contact info). Supplies will be sent directly to your location. There may be a cost to you for this sampling. Carefully read the instructions provided with the test kit. Different kits have different procedures. The sample must be taken from a kitchen or bathroom tap that is used daily. The test requires a sample of water that has been sitting in the household plumbing for no less than six (6) but no more than 18 hours. Once the sample is collected, you will promptly ship the sample back to the laboratory. The laboratory will then send the sample results directly to you. For information on sources of lead that include service lines and interior plumbing, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#getinfo
- Use your filter properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/water-research/consumer-tool-identifying-point-use-and-pitcher-filters-certified-reduce-lead.
- Consider consulting your healthcare provider. If you are concerned about the health effects of lead, a family doctor or pediatrician can determine which actions are necessary, whether it is necessary to perform a blood test for lead and can provide more information about your health. For more information and links to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC’s website, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water.
For more information on reducing lead exposure from your drinking water and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/lead.
Note: The City of Mandan is working with engineering consultant AE2S to conduct the lead and copper inventory. Funding for this project is provided through a contractual agreement between the NDDEQ Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and AE2S.