DALLAS — You'd be forgiven for not quite understanding the letter that was mailed to tens of thousands of Dallas Water Utility (DWU) customers.
The words unknown, lead, and water don't necessarily inspire confidence.
The letter is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-required notice similar to those sent by water municipalities across North Texas and the entire United States with the goal of identifying lead pipes across the water distribution system.
"We just want to make sure you are safe all the way," DWU's Assistant Director for Water Delivery Regina Stencel said.
DWU has inventoried tens of thousands of its own pipes and found no lead -- but it needs customers' help to check the lines on their sides of the meter.
"We don’t want to dig up their yard, we don’t want to be knocking on their doors and rummaging through their houses looking for the pipes," Stencel said.
Instead, DWU wants people to fill out this survey, which includes instructions on checking the pipes in your house (usually as easy as looking under the kitchen sink or by the water heater).
Stencel urged people to report what they find on the survey so DWU can fill in its map, as required by the EPA, without having to go door-to-door.
She said if you suspect you may have lead pipes, don't panic, "It doesn't mean that it is leaching out."
DWU includes a corrosion inhibitor in its water system to prevent lead from leaching into the water. If you do find lead pipes, DWU will come test your water. "Then you have ten years to replace these pipes," Stencel said.
If you're concerned, you can also call 311 to request free testing of your water for lead.
More information about DWU's efforts can be found here. Denton and Fort Worth are among the utilities that have sent similar letters to customers.