Water Service Pipe Inventory Project

The City of IGH is confident that all City-owned water service pipes are made of copper or plastic. However, the materials used in private water service lines might be unknown. If a water customer's private service line materials inside their home remained "unknown" after the survey process was complete, they received a letter from the City the week of Oct. 24, 2024, and a additional follow-up letter on Dec. 11, 2025. To read a copy of the letter, click here. 

The City's effort to inventory all pipe materials used in water service lines in IGH was driven by a mandate from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA wants to better protect communities from the risks of lead exposure by identifying lead pipes within public water systems and within private homes and businesses. Every water system in the United States was required to perform an initial inventory of the materials in water systems by October 2024, with annual updates to that inventory performed by October of subsequent years. Therefore, the City of IGH was required to identify the locations of water pipes that might include lead, so that they can ultimately be replaced with pipes made of non-lead materials.

The City of IGH required that all water service lines be free of lead after 1977. Additionally, the City tests for lead annually as part of its Consumer Confidence Water Report. The City of IGH is confident that all City-owned water service pipes are made of copper or plastic. However, the materials used in private water service lines might be unknown. 

The City will continue to update and refine service line material identification, as it can be verified through future street and utility reconstruction projects, additional records review, and individual private service line verification. Property owners who have noted “unknown” water service line material within their property can contact the City at 651-450-4309 or at water@ighmn.gov to request that an IGH Utility Division staff person verify the pipe material entering a private home or business.  

As additional verification is completed, the City will submit the information on an annual basis to the Minnesota Department of Health to update the statewide inventory database. The requirements of the Lead Service Line Inventory continue to be refined and updated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the Minnesota Department of Health. The City will continue to work with the Minnesota Department of Health in meeting all reporting and, if necessary, any lead remediation requirements.  

Find information on service line materials at specific Minnesota addresses at: maps.umn.edu/LSL/

If a search at maps.umn.edu/LSL/ lists the material on the private side of a service line as “unknown,” contact the City of IGH at 651-450-4309 or water@ighmn.gov and a staff member from the Utilities Division will meet with you at your property to verify the existing service pipe and internal piping materials.

Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed an online step-by-step guide to help people identify lead pipes in their homes called, “Protect Your Tap: A Quick Check for Lead.” It is available at: www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/protect-your-tap-quick-check-lead

Health Effects of Lead 

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 worsen existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these negative health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney or nervous system problems.

Steps to Take to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water

Below are recommended actions that you may take, separately or in combination, if you are concerned about lead in your drinking water. The list also includes links where you can find more information. The list is not intended to be a complete list or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead in drinking water.  

Use a filter. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, 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. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, see the EPA’s website at: www.epa.gov/water-research/consumer-tool-identifying-point-use-and-pitcher-filters-certified-reduce-lead

Clean your aerator. Regularly clean your faucet 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. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.  

Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in pipes providing water to your home, 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 and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home.

Have your water tested. The City of IGH tests for lead in drinking water from within approximately 300 private properties annually as part of Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) system monitoring guidelines. If you wish to have your property considered for water testing as part of this annual test, contact 651-450-4309 or water@ighmn.gov to receive additional information.   Alternatively, if you wish to have your water tested independently, please contact an MDH-accredited laboratory (eldo.web.health.state.mn.us/public/accreditedlabs/labsearch.seam) for instructions on how to submit a sample. Note, a water sample may not adequately capture or represent all sources of lead that may be present. For information on sources of lead that include service lines and interior plumbing, visit: www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#getinto

Understand Blood Lead Testing

In Minnesota, elevated blood lead levels are most associated with lead exposure from lead paint and dust. Water is rarely the cause of elevated blood lead levels. If you have concerns about childhood lead exposure, check with your family doctor, pediatrician, or health care provider to determine if a blood test for lead is recommended. State or county departments of health can also provide information about the health effects of lead and how you can have your child's blood tested for lead.

For more information, visit: www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water

The MDH has a website dedicated to providing lead information for families at: www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/lead/families.html

For additional information on the Lead Service Line Replacement Program, visit the MDH website at: www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/lslrprogram.html

For more information about lead in drinking water, visit the MDH webpage: www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/contaminants/lead.html

Find information on service line materials at specific Minnesota addresses at: maps.umn.edu/LSL/

If a search at maps.umn.edu/LSL/ lists the material on the private side of a service line as “unknown,” contact the City of IGH at 651-450-4309 or water@ighmn.gov and a staff member from the Utilities Division will meet with you at your property to verify the existing service pipe and internal piping materials.

Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed an online step-by-step guide to help people identify lead pipes in their homes called, “Protect Your Tap: A Quick Check for Lead.” It is available at: www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/protect-your-tap-quick-check-lead

Health Effects of Lead 

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 worsen existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these negative health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney or nervous system problems.

Steps to Take to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water

Below are recommended actions that you may take, separately or in combination, if you are concerned about lead in your drinking water. The list also includes links where you can find more information. The list is not intended to be a complete list or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead in drinking water.  

Use a filter. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, 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. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, see the EPA’s website at: www.epa.gov/water-research/consumer-tool-identifying-point-use-and-pitcher-filters-certified-reduce-lead

Clean your aerator. Regularly clean your faucet 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. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.  

Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in pipes providing water to your home, 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 and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home.

Have your water tested. The City of IGH tests for lead in drinking water from within approximately 300 private properties annually as part of Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) system monitoring guidelines. If you wish to have your property considered for water testing as part of this annual test, contact 651-450-4309 or water@ighmn.gov to receive additional information.   Alternatively, if you wish to have your water tested independently, please contact an MDH-accredited laboratory (eldo.web.health.state.mn.us/public/accreditedlabs/labsearch.seam) for instructions on how to submit a sample. Note, a water sample may not adequately capture or represent all sources of lead that may be present. For information on sources of lead that include service lines and interior plumbing, visit: www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#getinto

Understand Blood Lead Testing

In Minnesota, elevated blood lead levels are most associated with lead exposure from lead paint and dust. Water is rarely the cause of elevated blood lead levels. If you have concerns about childhood lead exposure, check with your family doctor, pediatrician, or health care provider to determine if a blood test for lead is recommended. State or county departments of health can also provide information about the health effects of lead and how you can have your child's blood tested for lead.

For more information, visit:                                                                                                                                                                 www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water

The MDH has a website dedicated to providing lead information for families at: www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/lead/families.html

For additional information on the Lead Service Line Replacement Program, visit the MDH website at: www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/lslrprogram.html

For more information about lead in drinking water, visit the MDH webpage: www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/contaminants/lead.html