Press release from the City of Bucyrus:

Our water system recently violated a drinking water requirement. As our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation.

We were required to develop and make publicly available an initial inventory of service lines connected to our distribution system by October 16, 2024. [If combining with reporting violation, include text: “Our system failed to update this initial inventory of service lines to the Ohio EPA by October 16, 2024.” The inventory must identify the service line materials as lead galvanized requiring replacement (GRR)[1], lead-status unknown/unknown, or non-lead. Identifying and ultimately removing lead and GRR service lines is an important way to protect public health.

“We notified persons served at service connections with a lead, galvanized, or unknown service line on Nov 15, 2024 for lead and GRR and links for unknowns in April 2024 bills”. The public inventory can be found at www.cityofbucyrusoh.us – Government – Water Distribution.

*Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems. *

What should I do?

Listed below are some steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead:

  • Learn what your service line material is. Contact us at 419-834-5760 or email watertreat@cityofbucyrusoh.us or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials. “To find out about what we are doing to replace lead service lines, please visit the above website or contact us at 419-562-6767 Option 2 or email watertreat@cityofbucyrusoh.us Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead is the EPA’s online step by step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home (epa.gov/pyt).
  • Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Unless your service line is not made of lead or galvanized you should be aware of any nearby construction or maintenance work that could disturb the line. Ground tremors from construction may suddenly cause more lead to be released from lead or galvanized service lines in the area.
  • Use your filter properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, make sure you use a filter certified to remove lead. Read the directions to learn how to properly install and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter.
  • Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
  • Use cold water. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Remember, boiling water does not remove lead from water.
  • Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, and the length of the lead service line. Residents should contact their water utility for recommendations about flushing times in their community.
  • Have your water tested. Contact your water utility to have your water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water.

If you are concerned about having lead or possible lead service line, you may want to drink bottled water.

What does this mean?

Service line inventories are the foundation from which water systems take action to address a significant source of lead in drinking water. Establishing an inventory of service line materials and identifying the location of lead and GRR service lines is a key step in getting them replaced and protecting public health. Typically, lead enters water supplies by leaching from lead pipes, brass faucets, plumbing with leaded solder, and other plumbing components containing lead. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead services lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Lead pipes are more likely to be found in older cities and homes built before 1986. Service lines made of galvanized iron or steel that are (or were previously) downstream of lead service lines are classified as galvanized requiring replacement (GRR) because galvanized service lines that are or ever were downstream from an LSL can adsorb lead and contribute to lead in drinking water. Identifying and ultimately removing lead and GRR service lines is an important way to protect public health.

What is being done?

We have updated the inventory and it has been posted on the city’s website.  We are also working on posting it on the city’s Facebook page, the Utility Dept’s Facebook page, two local internet news pages, and announced at council and committee meetings.

For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s Web site at http://www.epa.gov/lead or contact your health care provider.

For more information, please contact Chad Slagle at 419-834-5760 or 500 S Sandusky Ave;  Bucyrus, OH  44820.

*Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail. *

This notice is being sent to you by City of Bucyrus. Public Water System ID#: OH1700011.