Westland, MI (May 6, 2021) – The City of Westland is launching a comprehensive lead service line replacement program in order to ensure that its residents have the safest and cleanest drinking water.
The 2018 amended Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act requires that public water systems maintain an inventory of service line materials in their distribution systems by January 1, 2025 and replacement of any lead service lines by 2040.
As such, the City of Westland has begun the process of identifying service line materials (copper, galvanized steel, lead, plastic) throughout the water distribution system.
The City of Westland's water mains are completely lead-free, however, the city's mains connect to homes through a water service line that connects to the meter at each residence. These lines are the basis of the current inventory process. So far, the Department of Public Service has identified approximately 35% of Westland’s service line material through inspections. While most water services in Westland are comprised of copper or plastic pipe, a few existing lines may be comprised of galvanized steel or lead.
The City of Westland will request assistance from residents to perform a few simple steps to identify the material of water service between where it enters the building and the meter. By mid-May, the City will send a package to the remaining 65 % of the households, with detailed instructions on how to test and identify water service line material, and instructions for submitting the material identification back to the city.
The package will contain the following:
- Instructions to identify your water service material
- Magnet to test your service line
- Pre-paid water service material identification postcard and QR code to online identification form
"The purpose of this outreach is to seek resident assistance in identifying their water service material type and to notify residents that there may be a health risk, if it exists," commented Mayor William R. Wild. "Any lead service lines that are identified under the program will be replaced at no cost to the resident. Our goal is to be Michigan's first community in total compliance with Michigan's Safe Drinking Water Act."
The pre-paid postcard or online form shall be used to indicate test results and should be returned to the City upon completion.
Identifying your water service material:
Step 1: Find the water meter in your basement, crawlspace, or garage. It should look similar to the image shown above. You will be testing your pipe between where it enters the building and the meter and between the meter and your house plumbing.
Step 2: Scratch the pipe (similar to a lottery ticket) with a key or coin. If pipe is painted, use sandpaper to expose the metal. If the color underneath is orange, your pipe is copper. If your pipe is copper or plastic, fill out and return the enclosed pre-paid postcard, or online form to the City. If the scratch turns to a shiny silver color, the pipe could be lead or steel. Proceed to Step 3. (Note: Do not use a sharper object, such as a knife and be sure to not create a hole in the pipe.)
Step 3: Place magnet on the pipe. If the magnet attracts, it is a steel pipe. If the magnet does not attract and is a shiny silver color, it is a lead pipe. The adjacent figures present the possible water service materials and identifying traits.
Step 4: Complete the enclosed card or online form, indicating the material of your service line between where it enters the building and the meter, and between the meter and your house plumbing. Return the pre-paid postcard to the City or submit online form.
For additional questions, or to schedule an inspection to identify your service material, residents can contact the Department of Public Services at (734) 728-1770.
