The City of Keene has implemented various plans, processes, and programs to minimize lead exposure from drinking water for our customers.

Identifying Lead Service Lines

In June 2022, as part of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) program, the utility began gathering records for every water meter in the city. Simultaneously, staff checked and documented the pipe material of the service lines on both sides of the meter.

The service line extends from the water main to the point where it enters the building. Ownership of this line is shared: the city owns the portion from the water main to the water meter, including the meter itself, while the property owner is responsible for the section from the meter to the building.

We continuously add new homes and businesses to our inventory. Developments constructed in the last 30 years should not have lead service lines or private plumbing lines made of lead; however, plumbing fixtures in these properties may still contain lead. The lead-free standard for plumbing fixtures was only established on January 1, 2014. Therefore, some locations might still have brass or chrome-plated brass faucets, galvanized pipes, or solder that contain lead.

The City of Keene does not have information regarding the materials used in private plumbing lines within homes and businesses. Customers who believe their property may be at risk are encouraged to hire a licensed plumber for an inspection.

For more details about your service lines, please see the City of Keene Lead and Copper Line Information (PDF). 

Notices

graphic showing underground water lines and pipes in relation to a house
The image shows that the water utility owns the portion of the service line from the water main to the meter and the meter itself. The property owners own the service line portion from the meter to the home or building.

Replacing Lead Service Lines

The City of Keene has been replacing lead service lines through normal maintenance activity and water line rehabilitation projects for decades. All lead service lines that were identified on the city-side have all been replaced. 

Notifying Customers

Property owners and tenants, if applicable, were notified by letter when a lead service line was found.

Because removing lead service lines can create a short-term increased risk to lead exposure, property owners and tenants are notified again when construction is to occur and when it occurs. 

Pipe scale and sediments can build up over time inside service lines, and private plumbing from the minerals in the water. This scale acts as a barrier to lead dissolving into the water as it sits in the pipe. Research now indicates that physically disturbing lead pipes can result in prolonged release of pipe scale and sediments containing high lead content, significantly increasing lead exposure risk to residents. This means disturbing the utility’s service line or the meter can cause the scale to come off the private plumbing line on the other side of the meter.

When the City of Keene replaces a lead service line or disturbs a meter where either or both the service line and private plumbing line are lead, an information packet is left on the front door notifying the customer what was done. The packet includes steps the customer can take to reduce their risk of lead exposure.

The Utility Department will offer reimbursement to customers whose tests are positive for lead.

Lead and Copper Testing

Testing for lead and copper in drinking water is unlike any other testing our Water Quality Specialist does because of the sampling requirements. All other samples analyzed for drinking water compliance are taken by utility employees who hold an operator or distribution system license. Also, the samples are taken from locations in the public water system's control. Lead and copper samples are taken by the customer from the kitchen tap in their home. The sampling locations must come from locations identified as at-risk for having lead in pipes, plumbing fixtures, or solder. The Utility Department offers lead testing to all customers for a small cost, but the testing is free for any customer whose test returned with a positive result for an identified lead service line. 

Testing Your Water

Because you cannot see, smell, or taste lead in your water, it can go undetected. Testing is the only way to determine if there is lead in the drinking water at your home. If any of the following apply, you may want to consider testing:

  • Your home was built before 1986. These are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures, and solders.
  • Your home has brass, copper plumbing, and/or chrome-plated fixtures.
  • You see signs of corrosion from your water (frequent leaks, rust-colored water, stained sinks, dishes, or laundry).

Options For Testing

You may have your water tested through the City of Keene or a TCEQ-approved third-party laboratory. All compliance sampling lead test results must be reported to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, but special requests for sampling are not reported to TCEQ.

Here is a list of certified laboratories available on the TCEQ website. Contact labs directly for information on cost and sampling bottles.

Lead and copper testing is $70 per faucet tested. If you wish to have your water tested, please contact the City of Keene between 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Here is the link to the Payment Form: Lead Testing Fee (PDF)

Sample Requirements:

Compliance sampling process

  • Lead samples are taken from a tap inside the home or business.
  • The sample is actually taken by the customer and not a licensed water professional.
  • It is the only water quality sampling done this way. 

Sample Requirements

  • The water must sit in the pipes for a minimum of six hours and maximum of 24 hours without any use, including no flushing.
  • The water must be the first flush out the faucet.
  • Most samples are taken first thing in the morning, though the sample could be taken after someone returns from work to an empty home.
  • The sample must be taken from a regularly used cold water tap, preferably the kitchen sink.
  • If the faucet has an aerator, it should not be removed prior to taking the sample.

The City of Keene provides:

  • Sample bottles
  • Sampling instructions
  • Sampling form
  • Training to the customer if needed

Complete the form:
The customer must complete and sign a form that includes:

  • The date and time the sample was taken
  • The date and time the water was last used, and 
  • Which faucet was used to take the sample (i.e. kitchen, bathroom, etc.).

Once the sample is taken, the customer notifies the city that the sample and completed form are ready for pick-up.