GRU is conducting a water service line inventory to comply with federal rule

Press release from Gainesville Regional Utilities

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – GRU is doing its part to ensure public health and safety by creating an online inventory of all water service line materials in its systems by Wednesday, Oct. 16. 

The inventory is a requirement of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s revised Lead and Copper Rule, which aims to reduce lead levels in drinking water across the country. Lead exposure can cause serious health effects.  

The new regulation requires drinking water systems to identify the pipe material for both public (GRU) and private (customer) water service lines and create an online inventory. GRU has launched a project to develop this service line inventory and will complete it in two main phases:   

Phase 1: Development of initial service line inventory using digital records and utility data. This phase was completed in August 2024 and is available at www.gru.com/ServiceLineInventory.  

Phase 2: Identify the pipe material for private, or customer, service lines. GRU does not maintain records of customer service lines. Unverified service lines are characterized as “unknown” in GRU’s inventory. GRU is working with a consultant to identify unknown lines through visual inspections and desktop modeling. The online inventory will be updated as unknowns are identified.  

As required by the new rule, GRU will send a letter to customers with unknown service lines explaining the dangers of lead exposure.  

“This is an important regulation to ensure our community’s health,” said GRU Supervising Engineer and Utility Designer Jennifer McElroy. “While GRU does not expect to find lead service lines in our area, we will not know with 100 percent certainty until the inventory is complete. If you have information about your private service line, please reach out to us. Meanwhile, we will continue to update our website.” 

GRU customers can view the inventory at www.gru.com/ServiceLineInventory. If customers have information about their private service line material or would like to update the information for their home or business, they should contact GRU at ServiceLineInventory@gru.com.  

GRU’s drinking water is in compliance with all federal and state requirements. Our Water professionals work around the clock to ensure that your tap water is always on demand and safe to drink. Visit www.gru.com/waterreport for more information about our excellent water quality.