Lead Protection Program

Historical Compliance with Lead Regulation

The City has routinely monitored the water quality in accordance with state and federal safe drinking water requirements. Our historical results show the City’s lead results have met safe drinking water standards.  

The safe drinking water standard is based on the 90th percentile result from each sampling event. If the 90th percentile result is above 15 parts per billion (ppb), the city is required to initiate public outreach and corrective actions. Fifteen (15) ppb is the equivalent of dissolving a small drop of dye into a large swimming pool. Since 2005, lead 90th percentile results have been measured at 0 ppb. Historical lead and copper sampling results can be found on the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) Drinking Water Watch website. 

Lead & Copper Sample Summary Results (deq.ok.gov)

New Initiatives to meet Updated Lead Regulation

The Environmental Protection Agency recently updated their standards to protect communities from the risks of lead exposure from drinking water. These new standards – the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions – require all drinking water utilities in the United States, including Oklahoma, to take new actions and begin additional communications with customers.  

In accordance with the updated rules, we’re implementing several key initiatives to strengthen efforts toward eliminating lead exposure through the drinking water. Here’s what you can expect:

  1. Inspecting and Replacing Lead Service Lines (LSLs) – We are in the process of identifying and documenting the material of every service line in Duncan. Over the next decade, we’ll be proactively planning for replacement of located lead service lines (LSLs) and certain galvanized service lines.
  2. Improved Monitoring and Response - We’ll be updating our sampling protocol to improve lead monitoring throughout the water distribution system.  As a part of this initiative new sample locations will be selected and customers may receive notices requesting participation as a sample site.

As required by rules, the City samples routinely for lead at designated sample sites.  The locations do not change year to year and were selected to target homes with lead service lines or copper plumbing with lead solder.  The new rules may require the City to update our sample locations in addition to the sampling protocol.  Between 2024 and 2027 customers may receive surveys or forms from the City requesting participation as a new sample site or requesting information on the interior plumbing.  We are relying on the cooperation and support of our community.  To verify that a communication is from the City, please contact 580-470-2095. We truly appreciate our customer’s participation and cooperation to help us monitor and safeguard against lead.

  3.Transparency and Education - We’re enhancing public education efforts to raise awareness about lead in drinking water. We will be regularly reaching out to residents with information on lead risks, testing, and steps to protect their families.

Beginning October and November 2024 the City will notify customers who are served by a known lead line, a galvanized line that may potentially contain lead, or a service line of unknown material.  

In the coming 5 years, schools will also begin to receive outreach to educate on the risks of lead exposure from premise plumbing and opportunities to sample.

 4. Next Steps - The EPA plans to finalize additional updates to the rules – The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) before the LCRR compliance date of October 16, 2024. This rule will finalize the requirements for replacing service lines.  We are closely following the development of these regulations and will continue to inform the public on any updates to our lead reduction initiatives.

Service Line Inventory for The City of Duncan

The Service Line Inventory (https://duncanok.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1125/Duncan-Public-Inventory---for-printing) allows customers to view the inventory and the service line material listed for each address served by our water system. By entering an address, you can view detailed information about the material of the service line, including the public-side service line: extending from the water main to the water meter, and the private-side service line: running from the water meter to your home. 

If you have questions or if the information about your private-side service line material is not correct, please contact 580-470-2095. 

Service Line

State and Federal Resources

EPA

CDC

  • CDC Lead in Drinking Water (https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/prevention/drinking-water.html CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/sources/water.htm)

ODEQ