Lead and Drinking Water

Lead is NOT present in the United City of Yorkville’s source water (groundwater), nor is Lead in the City’s treated drinking water. However, if homes and buildings have water service lines made of Lead, Lead can enter the drinking water through the corrosion of those plumbing materials.

The water service line runs from the water main to the water meter (see diagram).  A valve, commonly referred to as the curb stop, controls the flow of water from the water main to the dwelling.  In most cases this valve is located at, or near, the property boundary.  The water main and the portion of the service line outside the property boundary is owned and maintained by the City.  The service line located inside the property boundary is owned and maintained by the property owner.     


House Lead Graphic

Please help us identify your Private Water Service Line Material by clicking here to report your findings.

Pipe ID Procedure Graphic
YO2207_Potential Lead South
YO2207_Potential Lead North

Lead was used in our community until 1986.

  • If your home was built after 1986, your service line and household plumbing are most likely not made of lead.
  • If your home was built before 1986, you may have a lead service line or service line containing lead solder.

Steps to Reduce Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water

Despite our best efforts mentioned earlier to control water corrosivity and remove lead from the water supply, lead can still be present in some homes or buildings. Advice for lead safe water practices include:

  • Before using any tap water for drinking or cooking, flush your water systems by running the kitchen tap (or any other tap you take drinking or cooking water from) on COLD for 1-2 minutes.
  • Remove and clean faucet aerators regularly to eliminate any debris such as metal particulates.
  • Purchase or lease a home water treatment device. Various types of water treatment devices are certified for household use and can remove a broad range of contaminants from water – including lead. Any type of water treatment device that you choose should meet National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) standards 42 and 53 for reduction of lead and particulate.

For more information on Lead, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website and their Environmental Health Fact Sheet on Lead in Drinking Water

 

Additional City of Yorkville Drinking Water Details

Corrosion Control

The City’s source water is naturally hard (calcium carbonate) and has a neutral pH. The minerals that cause hardness coat the inside of your internal plumbing. This coating prevents lead from dissolving into drinking water. The City also treats the water with a food grade polyphosphate in accordance with the Lead and Copper Rule. This treatment further coats household plumbing and helps reduce the exposure of Lead in drinking water.

Lead and Copper Rule

The United City of Yorkville is in full compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). This rule requires that a utility sample water from resident’s kitchen cold water tap that has been in contact with the internal plumbing for 6 hours. 

Additional Resources

For more information about Lead click here for U.S. EPA information on Lead.

For more information about Lead click here for American Water Works Association (video): Together, Let's Get the Lead Out.