Whitewater City Employees to Begin Inventory to Public and Private Side Water Laterals

According to a press release from the City of Whitewater, residents may notice City employees over the next several months as they begin to inventory the public and private side of water laterals. In December of 2021, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), the federal regulation designed to control lead and copper in drinking water. Those revisions require water utilities to create an inventory of public and private service laterals by 2024. Now, the City of Whitewater is beginning the process of identifying undocumented service laterals on the public and private side within the City. Examples of materials may include copper, iron, plastic or lead. A City employee will be locating and flagging water curb stop boxes, typically located in the terrace. Other utilities such as gas, electric, and fiber optics will be flagging the same areas. After all utilities have been located, Water Utility will return with the necessary equipment to excavate a small area around the water service box to identify the water lateral material. All disturbed areas will be restored to the original condition.