ORLEANS– To comply with the latest updates to mandated federal environmental regulations (i.e., “Lead & Copper Rule”) requiring an inventory of all municipal water service lines throughout the country, the Town of Orleans is asking their water customers to inspect the water service line coming into their residence or business to determine the material they are made of.
In addition, the newly updated rule now requires the water utility company to identify the composition of distribution pipes to the plumbing fixtures inside the customer’s residence or business.
Commonly found pipe materials in our area include copper, plastic, galvanized, and possibly some lead, although no lead has been identified in our system for many years.
If water customers can determine the composition of their water lines, both inside and outside, the town is asking each customer to fill out a survey being widely circulated or go online to access https://form.jotform.com/230325341765048 and complete the information needed. The surveys also contain a QR code to access the proper link.
This inventory is being conducted with the help of Commonwealth Engineers. Questions concerning this survey may be directed to the Town of Orleans at 812-865-2539 and/or Commonwealth Engineers at 812-474-1177.
Water customers are urged to fill out these survey questions to speed up the completion of the requirements for the inventory submission next year. Without customer assistance, alternate means of verifying this information will be necessary, including door-to-door surveys, verification of the line by excavation, and requesting access to the home or business for line testing by the Orleans Water Utility.
An inaccurate inventory can also negatively affect the town’s eligibility for grants in the future.
