JEA Continuing Water Service Line Verification, Now Asking Some Customers to Check Their Own Pipe Material

2024-11-18

Jacksonville, FL - JEA is dedicated to ensuring clean and reliable drinking water for our customers. JEA is currently conducting the Water Service Line Verification Project, a multi-phase project to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.

During Phase 1 of the project, JEA took inventory of all water service lines in our service territory, as well as a group of randomly selected customer private water service lines. JEA determined the material of many JEA lines and JEA customers’ private water service lines, which connects the JEA water meter to a customer’s home or building.  

JEA has not found any lead water service lines in our service territory but has identified customers who have lines made of galvanized steel. which could contain lead. 

JEA is now reaching out to the more than 8,000 customers with galvanized steel lines and 40,000 customers with unknown material. See details below and next steps for those customers:

Galvanized Material Line 

• Galvanized steel is a corrosion-resistant material that was commonly used for plumbing before 1960.
• Water service lines made of galvanized material have the possibility of containing lead if the line was ever connected to a lead service line. However, JEA’s water contains calcium and magnesium which coat the inside of the pipes it runs through, making it less likely for lead to enter drinking water. 
• The customer water service line may require replacement if we cannot determine that it was never connected to a lead line. 
• If the line requires replacement, JEA will notify the customer directly with next steps. 
• Customers can learn how to take steps to lessen their chance of lead exposure on jea.com/lcrr.

Unknown Material Line

• The material of the customer water service line that connects their property to the JEA main line was not identified. Without the line material being identified, there is a possibility it could be made of lead. However, water service lines can also be made of plastic, brass, copper, cast iron and galvanized steel.
• To date, JEA has not found any lead lines in our service territory, and it was not a commonly used material in our area prior to being prohibited by the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1986.
• To ensure customers do not have a lead water service line, we encourage them to complete a water service line self-verification.
• Video: See demonstration of how to check your water service line.

Customers can check the latest results of our water service line survey, submit their own results and get more information on JEA’s Water Service Line Verification Project at jea.com/lcrr.

About JEA

JEA is a municipal utility providing safe, reliable and affordable services to more than one million residents across four Northeast Florida counties. JEA is not owned by investors and does not earn a profit. It was created by the City of Jacksonville to meet the electricity and water needs of those who live in Jacksonville and surrounding communities. JEA’s 2,200-plus workforce is dedicated to meeting customer needs, both today and for generations to come, while protecting our precious natural resources and supporting our region’s growth and economic development. Learn more at jea.com.

Media Contact

Karen McAllister
media@jea.com | 904-665-5500

Category:

• conservation
• customer
• education
• water