Lead and Copper Compliance Program

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has required monitoring of lead and copper content in drinking water since 1991. The town’s water has been in compliance with safe standards since monitoring began. Click here to view the town’s annual Water Quality Reports.

Effective October 2024, the EPA has revised its requirements to make them more stringent and to establish the following improvements to existing regulatory requirements:

Using science-based testing protocols to find more sources of lead in drinking water;
For the first time, requiring testing in all schools and childcare facilities;
Requiring water systems to identify and make public the locations of lead service lines;
Establishing an action level to jumpstart mitigation earlier and in more communities; and
Develop a lead service line replacement program if lead service lines are found based on EPA requirements.

The Town of Herndon has prepared for these new requirements by conducting a town-wide service line material inventory and analysis; results of the analysis can be found here. Over the next year you may notice the town’s efforts to collect additional information for the town-wide inventory. These may include minimally invasive excavation equipment in the Right-of-Way and temporary localized parking restrictions. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and involvement in aiding in our data collection.

Lead and Copper
- Where does the Town of Herndon water come from?
  The Town of Herndon purchases water as a wholesale customer from Fairfax Water. Fairfax Water currently produces water that meets or surpasses all State and Federal Regulations for water quality. Fairfax Water’s Annual Water Quality Report can be accessed at their website. www.fairfaxwater.org
  
  After purchasing the water, the Town of Herndon manages the water throughout the distribution system. Distribution system infrastructure components include but are not limited to the pipes, service lines (town maintained “public” portion), and water towers.
- How does lead get into drinking water ?
  Water is essentially lead free when it leaves the Fairfax Water treatment plants. Lead can enter drinking water from several sources, including from the corrosion of lead pipes and plumbing materials that contain lead.
  
  Sources of lead in drinking water:
  Lead service pipes- Based on the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and Safe Water Drinking Act, lead service pipes could have been installed in privately-owned and utility owned portions of a service line until 1978 and 1988, respectively. Older properties may still have lead service pipes, which connect the water main in the street to the household plumbing.
  
  Lead solder- Solder is the material that connects copper pipes in household plumbing. In 1986, lead solder was banned from use in household plumbing. If your house was built before 1987 with copper pipe, your plumbing may have lead solder. Enforcement of this ban began in mid-1988.
  
  Brass faucets, valves or fittings- Almost all faucets, valves and fittings have brass components. Until 2014, brass faucets and fittings sold in the U.S. and labeled "lead-free" could contain up to eight percent lead. Effective January 2014, the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act specifies that these materials may not contain more than 0.25 percent lead.
  
  Galvanized iron pipes- Galvanized iron pipes were installed in many homes before the 1960s. These pipes can release lead in water if the property has, or previously had, a lead service pipe upstream of the galvanized pipe. Galvanized pipes are made with a protective layer of zinc. However, the zinc layer erodes over time and results in corrosion. When lead is released from a lead service pipe and passes through galvanized plumbing, lead can accumulate on the walls of the galvanized iron pipes.
- What is the Town of Herndon doing to mitigate possible sources of lead?
  Water Sampling – To maintain compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead & Copper Rule, the town collects and tests samples of water from customer taps throughout the water distribution system. If lead concentrations exceed an action level of 15 ppb or copper concentrations exceed an action level of 1.3 ppm in more than 10% of customer taps sampled, the town must undertake a number of additional actions to control corrosion. If the action level for lead is exceeded, the system must also inform the public about steps they should take to protect their health and may have to replace lead service lines under their control. The town has been in compliance with the action levels since sampling began in 1992 and is currently testing on a triennial basis.
  
  Lead Service Line Material Identification - The Town of Herndon is currently performing a service line material inventory and analysis within the water distribution system as part of the town’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Compliance Program. Results of the analysis will be made available on or before October 16^th, 2024.
- How can I be exposed to lead?
  Lead is a common metal found in the environment. The main sources of lead exposure are lead based paint, lead contaminated dust or soil and some plumbing materials. In addition, lead can be found in certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, food, and cosmetics. Other sources include exposure in the workplace and exposure from certain hobbies (lead can be carried on clothing or shoes).
  
  EPA estimates that 10 to 20 percent of a person’s potential exposure to lead may come from drinking water. Infants who consume mostly formula mixed with lead-containing water can receive 40 to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water.
- How can lead exposure affect a person’s health?
  Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with a lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones and can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones which may affect brain development. You can find more information on the health effects of lead from the EPA at https://www.epa.gov/lead/what-are-some-health-effects-lead
- Who is responsible for addressing lead in water in the Town of Herndon?
  Town of Herndon
  - Complies with the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule.
  - Conducts regulatory lead testing and reports results to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
  - Conducts public outreach and education.
  - Participates in national research studies.
  Fairfax Water
  - Operates two drinking water treatment plants.
  - Applies corrosion control treatment to minimize pipe corrosion in the distribution system and customer households.
  - Monitors lead levels as water leaves the treatment plant and reports results to VDH.
  Public
  - Responsible for water service pipes and household plumbing. This is typically the portion of the water service line outside of the right-of-way (ROW) or the downstream side of the water meter.
  - Responsible for ensuring household water quality and minimizing lead exposure, including testing water for lead, flushing household plumbing, and if necessary, using a water filter.
  Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
  - Enforces compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule in the Town of Herndon
  - Reviews treatment processes, monitoring plans and test results to verify compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule.
  - Issues violations for noncompliance and requires corrective actions to achieve compliance.
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  - Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program develops policies and strategies to prevent lead poisoning.
  - Educates the public and health care providers about childhood lead poisoning.
  - Provides funding to state and local health departments.
  - Supports research to measure effectiveness of prevention efforts at federal, state and local levels.
- How is my water tested for lead?
  The Town of Herndon currently provides triennial lead testing to identify potential lead sources. Water test kits are delivered to participating customer households to allow homeowners to collect water samples.
  
  Starting in 2025 the Town of Herndon will be implementing additional water sampling and testing for lead to comply with the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. These additions will include increases in the quantity and frequency of Compliance Sampling and School and Childcare Facility Sampling. These requirements are as follows:
  
  Compliance Sampling:
  
  Fifth-Liter Sampling required.
  
  Minimum 6-hour stagnation period.
  
  Standard monitoring:
  
  Twice a year, every 6 months.
  
  Standard Monitoring: 60 sites.
  
  If sample results are lower than trigger levels for 2 consecutive sampling periods, the Town of Herndon can return to reduced monitoring periods on a triennial basis.
  
  Reduced Monitoring: 30 sites.
  
  Tier 1 sites should be prioritized.
  
  School & Childcare Facility Sampling:
  
  All schools and childcare facilities must be tested within the first 5 years.
  
  20% of facilities must be tested every year starting in 2025, or all can be done at once.
  
  Twice a year, every 6 months.
  
  Number of tap samples per facility:
  
  Schools: 5 samples
  
  Childcare Facilities: 2 samples
  
  Stagnation period of 8-18 hours.
  
  Excludes facilities built after 2014.
  
  Residents that are not included in the town implemented testing protocol may elect to test their own water via a qualified testing lab and report results to the Town.
- How can I minimize lead exposure?
  If lead is present in your drinking water, if you have pipes or plumbing fixtures that contain lead, or if you don’t know the material type, you should take steps to minimize potential lead exposure until all sources of lead have been removed. Flush your pipes before using any tap water for drinking or cooking. Run the water until the temperature changes and then allow it to run for an additional two minutes. Use only cold water for drinking and cooking. Filter your water before drinking and cooking until all sources of lead have been removed. This includes water used for making infant formula, beverages, and ice.
  Learn more about steps to reduce your risk of lead exposure at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water
- How can I find out if my service pipe is made of lead?
  Please visit the EPA's website in the following link to learn how to identify household plumbing materials, including lead pipes. You can also learn how to have your household drinking water tested by visiting the same link. https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/protect-your-tap-quick-check-lead-0
  
  You can also contact the Town of Herndon’s Lead and Copper Team by emailing leadandcopper@herndon-va.gov or by calling 703-435-6800 ext. 2185
- How are lead service lines replaced?
  Each year, the Town of Herndon replaces service lines within the ROW/water easement in conjunction with other construction projects. These projects include water main replacements, emergency repairs and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) projects. During these projects, the Town of Herndon replaces water service pipes in public space, including existing lead service pipes.
- Where can I get more information about lead?
  You can find out more information about lead by visiting the lead sections of these websites:
  
  https://www.epa.gov/lead
  
  https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/

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Lead and Copper Compliance Program

Lead and Copper

Where does the Town of Herndon water come from?

How does lead get into drinking water ?

What is the Town of Herndon doing to mitigate possible sources of lead?

How can I be exposed to lead?

How can lead exposure affect a person’s health?

Who is responsible for addressing lead in water in the Town of Herndon?

How is my water tested for lead?

How can I minimize lead exposure?

How can I find out if my service pipe is made of lead?

How are lead service lines replaced?

Where can I get more information about lead?