Federal Lead and Copper Rule Updates
Central Arkansas Water (CAW) released its online inventory of all service lines within its distribution system, including the customer-owned portion between the meter and the home, on Thursday, October 10, as part of its continued implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).
Customers can access the online database by visiting its interactive online database. This inventory will be updated regularly to ensure transparency and accountability.
By identifying the location and status of utility-owned service lines, CAW can more effectively prioritize their removal and replacement.
These requirements align with CAW’s ongoing commitment to protecting public health by delivering high-quality, affordable, abundant, and dependable water services. CAW has been in 100 percent compliance with the original Lead and Copper Rule since its inception, and we have taken and continue to take proactive measures to ensure we are ahead of all regulatory changes.
The revisions, finalized in December 2021, must be completed by October 2024. CAW has focused on removing lead pipes from its system for more than 20 years. As of 2018, no known lead lines exist in the CAW-owned system. However, businesses or residents living in homes built before 1989 [BW1] may still have a lead service line from the CAW-owned meter.
"This interactive tool for our customers exemplifies CAW’s commitment to transparency,” said Tad Bohannon, CAW’s Chief Executive Officer. " We are proud of our high-quality water, and we want our customers to feel good knowing they have the safest, best-tasting water around every time they turn on the tap.”
Central Arkansas Water is the largest water utility in Arkansas, serving more than 450,000 people in eight counties. CAW is committed to protecting public health and increasing the quality of life for our customers by delivering high-quality, affordable, abundant, dependable water services.
- [BW1]ADH uses 1989; Arkansas implemented the lead ban on June 1, 1988, and signed by then Governor Bill Clinton on June 16, 1988 (Arkansas State Plumbing Code 10.1.6 and 10.1.7 banning lead pipe, lead solder, and flux). Service lines installed after June 1988 are considered non-lead unless a water system has documentation to show otherwise.