Owensboro Municipal Utilities understands the need for safe and reliable water for our community. We continuously monitor our system and test water to comply with all drinking water regulations and requirements.
The discovery of unsafe, elevated lead levels in Flint, Michigan’s water system caused nationwide concern about drinking water quality. Owensboro Municipal Utilities is taking a proactive approach to help our customers understand more about lead detection, abatement, and testing within our water system to ensure safe and reliable water for our customers.
In the interest of public safety, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced revised regulations requiring utilities across the country to phase lead service lines out of their systems more quickly than previously established.
Water Distribution & Service Lines
An extensive review of plumbing codes, permits, internal documentation, system drawings, historical connection data, and an approved field verification technique combined to determine there are no lead service lines in our area. OMU’s Water Distribution Department has also used a statistically sound methodology, approved by the Kentucky Division of Water, to complete an inventory and verify these findings.
OMU has created a water system assessment map that shows the types of service lines, which run from the water main to the home or business.
If you would like OMU to physically inspect your service line to verify the material, please contact us at 270-926-3200 ext. 4272.
As always, if you have any questions about our water system, please call 270-926-3200.
Water Treatment
The primary method of preventing lead from being released into OMU’s system is through processing at OMU’s Cavin Water Treatment Plant. This includes managing the water pH (corrosiveness) and other water quality parameters, and inclusion of phosphate in our water treatment process. Phosphate treatment prevents corrosion within the distribution system and minimizes the potential release of lead into the water.
Video: Let’s Get the Lead Out
Learn more through this video from the American Water Works Association.