Here is the official City of St. Charles Letter to Residence sent on TBA. It explains that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requiring all U.S. water systems to perform an inventory of drinking water pipes from the water main to the house with the goal of identifying and ultimately removing any water service laterals containing lead. You will also find informational links and contact information in the letter.
FAQ
How long will the inspection take?
Each inspection should take about 30-40 minutes to complete.
Will my water be turned off during the inspection?
Yes. We will temporarily remove your water meter and test your pipe material by inserting our SMART PROBE directly into the pipe.
Will you change the quality of my drinking water?
No. Electro Scan follows the water industry standard to flush the water pipes after its inspection to ensure no adverse water quality issues. Any issues with your equipment found during our survey will be reported to the city.
Will your survey determine if a lead line is present?
Yes. We use two different methods to confirm if you have lead pipes. First, we use our SMART PROBE that tells us electronic readings for different types of pipes. Second, we use a swab to test the tip of our probe to determine if our probe comes into contact with lead while inside the pipe. If the swab turns RED, we know its LEAD.
What happens if you find lead water pipes?
You will be contacted by the city and or the city’s engineer, Barton and Loguidice, if this happens. You will be provided information on the discovery and options you may take to mitigate the effects of lead on your home. You will be offered a free pitcher filter that removes 99% of the lead from the drinking water. The pitcher will be provided with a six (6) month filter cartridge. Additional cartridges are the responsibility of the property owner.
How much will this inspection cost?
The inspection is FREE. The City of St. Charles was awarded a grant from the State of Missouri to conduct the lateral inventory which covers 100% of inspection costs.
How soon will the city be able to replace my lead pipes?
Upon completion of the lateral inventory process the city will apply for grants through Missouri State to help cover the cost of replacing the lead services that are found. The replacement schedule is subject to the success of city funding efforts, however lateral replacement is targeted to be completed within 3 years (end of 2027).