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Oct 25, 2024

St. Mary’s Water Lines Deemed Lead-Free in New MetCom Review - The Southern Maryland Chronicle

St. Mary’s County residents can now verify the materials of their water service lines using a new online inventory provided by the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission (MetCom). This resource,

St. Mary’s County residents can now verify the materials of their water service lines using a new online inventory provided by the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission (MetCom). This resource, available at MetCom’s Lead and Copper Rule page, allows users to view details of MetCom’s water service line inspection, conducted to comply with recent federal guidelines on lead monitoring in drinking water systems.

Prompted by updated regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aiming to minimize public exposure to lead, MetCom evaluated 16,930 water service lines across the county, classifying each line based on its lead content. The results revealed that none of the inspected lines contained lead.

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This comprehensive inventory project utilized both historical building records and physical inspections, ensuring compliance with the EPA’s recent requirements under the revised Lead and Copper Rule. An interactive map on the MetCom website further supports residents by allowing them to explore water line material details based on location, improving transparency and access to information.

MetCom’s inventory process covered all service lines across the county’s 28 water systems. The categorization includes lines marked as either “lead,” “galvanized requiring replacement (GRR),” “non-lead,” or “unknown lead status.” These classifications provide residents with clarity regarding their water service line materials.

The majority of water lines in St. Mary’s County fall under the “non-lead” category, according to EPA guidelines. Of the inspected lines:

Regular testing of drinking water quality remains a priority for MetCom. The most recent lead and copper sampling, conducted in 2023, involved random testing of household tap water across St. Mary’s County. The findings showed lead levels well below the EPA’s action threshold of 15 parts per billion, reinforcing the county’s adherence to federal safety standards.

Residents can review these and other water quality results through MetCom’s annual Consumer Confidence Reports, which are available on the MetCom website.

This initiative is a key component of St. Mary’s County’s ongoing efforts to ensure safe drinking water, meeting evolving federal regulations and enhancing public health through preventive measures and continuous monitoring.

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David M. Higgins II is an award-winning journalist passionate about uncovering the truth and telling compelling stories. Born in Baltimore and raised in Southern Maryland, he has lived in several East... More by David M. Higgins II, Publisher/Editor