STPUD Water Service Line Inventory Complete -  Confirms No Lead Service Lines

To comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, the District assessed the material of water service lines in our system to ensure there was no lead. The State’s Division of Drinking Water approved our plan to use historical records and stratified random sampling based on the date of installation and the number of verifications per tier to verify water service line material. We field verified 370 random water service lines between August – November 2025. These efforts confirm there are no lead service lines within South Tahoe Public Utility District’s water system.

Why did STPUD conduct a water service line inventory?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency updated the Lead and Copper Rule requiring all public water systems to create an inventory of water service line material, regardless of ownership, and make it available to the public. The intent of the regulation is to identify any lead service lines and develop a replacement plan for them. In 2025, the District completed the water service line inventory and found no lead. You can learn more about the Federal requirements here or contact cs@stpud.us for a copy of STPUD’s Water Service Line Inventory.  

What is a water service line?

Water service lines are the pipes that carry water from the water main in the street to the home or business.

Who owns the water service line?

South Tahoe Public Utility District owns the water service line from the main in the street to the meter box, and the property owner owns the water service line from the meter box to their home.

What materials can service lines be made of?

Service lines can be made of lead, galvanized steel or iron, plastic, or copper. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health problems. The District has confirmed there are no lead service lines in our water system.

Is there lead in my drinking water?

There is no lead in the water supplied by the District’s wells. However, lead can get into your drinking water as it passes through pipes and plumbing materials that contain lead. In 1986, Congress banned the use of lead solder containing greater than 0.2% lead, and restricted the lead content of faucets, pipes, and other plumbing material to 8.0%. In the same year, California enacted an even more restrictive lead plumbing ban. If you have old brass or bronze fixtures, you may want to test your water for lead. To test your home for lead, contact our Customer Service Department at 530-544-6474. The cost for lead testing is $40. You will need to pick up a sample bottle, chain of custody form, and instructions from our Customer Service desk located at 1275 Meadow Crest Drive, South Lake Tahoe.

Where can I find more information about my water quality?

Every year, the District publishes a Consumer Confidence Report regarding our service area’s water quality. You can read it online at: www.stpud.us/water-quality-reports