Fairfield residents asked to complete water pipe survey

FAIRFIELD – Fairfield residents are being asked for assistance to determine if their home contains lead or copper water pipes.

Every three years, the city must take a survey of its lead and copper water pipes and report the results to the Environmental Protection Agency, in accordance with the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions established in 2021. Fairfield City Administrator Doug Reinert said Monday, Aug. 12 that the city is about half-way through surveying its more than 5,000 accounts, and staff are working hard to finish the survey by the deadline of Sept. 30.

Reinert said completing this survey is important for the city getting grants from the state and federal government to replace leaded water lines.

The City of Fairfield hired a temporary employee specifically to conduct this survey, Tyrel Curtis, who is being assisted by intern Caroline Van Pelt. Curtis goes door-to-door asking residents if he can check their meters, where he can see the primary plumbing material. Reinert said the survey takes only five minutes.

In the event Curtis misses a resident, he leaves a door hanger on their doorknob instructing the homeowner how to take an online survey. The survey asks residents if their home was built before 1988 or not, a question about their external water service line material if they know it, and their primary internal plumbing material. The survey includes pictures of lead, galvanized iron, copper and brass pipes to help residents know which one they have.

Residents are also asked if they would be willing to have water from their home sampled for lead and copper, assuming their home meets the testing requirements. If so, a city employee would bring an empty bottle to their home with instructions for collecting the sample and a brief form to fill out, then return for the sample and form the next day.

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Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com