Lead & Copper Rule FAQs

The revised rule is intended to better protect children and communities from the risks of lead exposure by identifying possible lead lines in water systems.

You could help by calling Gillette Utilities office at 307-686-5276 and scheduling an appointment to have your service line looked at.

The Lead and Copper rule set testing frequency and volume requirements, set action and trigger levels for lead and copper, and set requirements for what would be done if those levels were met or exceeded.

The revised rule requires an inventory of all pipe materials from mains to privately owned structures, changes in the volume of water required for a sample, enhanced testing of schools and daycares, public outreach requirements, and lead service line definitions and replacement requirements.

All regulated water systems must comply with the new rule. Operations similar to what will be done in the City of Gillette will be occurring in every municipality in the United States.

Yes. The original Lead and Copper Rule has testing requirements and action levels for Lead and Copper and was published in 1991.

The results from these tests can be found on the City of Gillette’s annual CCR that is published on the City of Gillette website.

No. The city distribution is 91% PVC (plastic), with the remainder being cast iron or ductile iron.

The City does not know of any lead service lines that are still in place.

As a general rule, lead service lines stopped being installed in the 1930’s. Lead was banned as a water system material nationwide in 1985.

Solders used for soldering fittings on copper pipe contained lead until 1986. Brass fitting and fixtures containing traces of lead were manufactured until 2014.

Hard water is “scale forming”. This scale, made of precipitated calcium carbonate, builds a layer on the inside of pipes and fitting. This helps to isolate the water from the pipes and fittings that may contain lead and lowers the ability for lead to be leached from pipes and fittings into the water.

The City will be providing transparent communication throughout the LCRR service line inventory process. Any locations identified as LSL (lead services lines) will be publicly listed and targeted for replacement as soon as possible.

The LCRR requires that all material inventories and lead service lines replacements completed by the compliance date of October, 2037.

You will see water crews out performing facets of the inventory process. Operators may ask to see the plumbing in your home where it enters the home.

Operators may also need to perform pothole operations of your service line to confirm its material. A service line agreement will be required to be signed prior to excavations. This will be done using a hydro-excavation unit that will create a hole over the service line large enough to see the material. The excavation could become larger if a lead service line is suspected.

Potholing operations and lead service line replacements may also be performed by local contractors who offer hydro-excavation and mechanical excavation services. A City of Gillette Water employee will still be a part of the process to confirm and record service line materials. Excavations created during this process will be backfilled and surface materials (concrete, rock, grass, etc.) will be replaced in a timely manner.

You may sign a written refusal statement and give that refusal statement to the City of Gillette if you do not want items on your property inventoried.

Please call and set up an appointment for a water operator to classify your service line materials or fill out this online form.

(https://120water.formstack.com/forms/gillettesurvey)

All unknown service lines that are City Of Gillette water customers will receive a letter stating that their service line material has not been verified.

Homes built after 1988 are classified as non-lead, lead pipes and fittings were banned in 1988.