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Lead Service Line Inventory Update for October 1st, 2025

10/1/2025

October 1st, 2025

If you are connected to city service for water, you may be asking - "we filled out the survey and we know our line is not lead, why are we still getting this notification?”

As part of the EPA’s revised Lead and Copper Rule (LCRR), all water systems are now required to develop a comprehensive inventory of both public and private service line materials by October 2024. Although many residents completed the recent survey and confirmed that their private service line is not lead, the City is still required to classify the entire service line as “unknown” if the material on the City-owned side is unverified. Under the EPA's rules, any unknowns must be treated as potential lead, which is why some households continue receiving official lead-related notifications—even if their side is confirmed lead-free. The good news is that based on over 72% of customer responses, only one lead and one galvanized service line have been identified on the customer side, representing just 1% of lines surveyed. While there's no firm timeline for next steps, the City remains committed to replacing any lead service lines encountered during future watermain projects.

April 2025:

To continue the work of developing an inventory of the water service line materials on the system, the next phase of the process will involve onsite verification. Moore Engineering is working to document these service line materials and you will see them throughout the City on ???? April 9th after 4PM. A portion of their job includes a visual inspection of the service line as it enters the building. The Moore Engineering employees will be in Moore Engineering vests and be working in teams of two.
If you prefer to complete this documentation yourself, you are still able to complete the online survey. Successful completion of the online survey will eliminate the need for someone to enter the building for documentation purposes. Click the link below to access the survey. It will take approximately 5 minutes and walk you through how to find your property’s water service pipe. You will need a coin, magnet, and smartphone. Please follow the directions in the survey for specifics.
www.ndwaterpipes.com.
This inventory is part of a nationwide initiative and the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality requests that residents and property owners in the City of Buffalo submit information on their water service pipe material. This initiative will allow water providers to document the presence of lead service pipes in their systems.
We appreciate your cooperation