At JXN Water, protecting public health is at the core of everything we do. Drinking water leaving our treatment plants does not contain lead. However, in certain situations, water can cause lead to leach from water service lines, lead-based solder on copper pipes (used until 1988), and brass faucets/fittings that contain lead.

As part of our ongoing commitment to reducing potential lead exposure in drinking water, JXN Water is actively working on the following:

The inventory includes information on both the utility side and private side material of your water service line. The inventory indicates if the material is lead, non-lead, galvanized requiring replacement (GRR), or lead status unknown (unknown).

To learn more about the material of the service line that provides water to your home or building, click on the webmap link below.

We are actively working to identify all unknown service line materials. For more information including assistance if you’d like to identify your own service line material, please contact JXN Water at 601-500-5200.

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

Customers with known lead service lines will be contacted within 6 months to schedule replacement.

JXN Water is taking steps to identify, plan for, and replace GRR service lines in our system.

JXN Water will continue to update our inventory and will be developing service line replacement plans. Refer to the website for replacement activity updates.

For more information about lead, including how you can reduce your risk of lead exposure, refer to the information below.

Lead can enter drinking water if service lines or plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, as shown in the diagram below. Additionally, if water stands in plumbing systems containing lead for several hours or more, the lead may be more likely to dissolve into your drinking water. For additional information on lead in drinking water provided by the EPA, click here.

** Lead in drinking water is one potential source of lead. Other sources of lead exposure include paint, ceramics, gasoline, batteries, and cosmetics. For more information from the EPA about sources of lead, click here

“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 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.”

Run the cold water to flush out lead. The more time water has been sitting in your home’s 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, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home. It is recommended to flush the cold-water faucet from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature, before using for drinking or cooking.

Use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby formula. Hot water may cause increases in lead concentrations at the tap and therefore should not be used to prepare food or baby formula. Boiling water does not reduce or remove lead from drinking water.

Use a filter to remove lead. 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, visit EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/home-drinking-water-filtration-fact-sheet and EPA’s Consumer Tool for Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead at https://www.epa.gov/water-research/consumer-tool-identifying-point-use-and-pitcher-filters-certified-reduce-lead.

Install lead-free faucets and fixtures. Look for lead certification marks indicating the new product is lead free, and then replace old faucets and fixtures. Visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water for more information and the latest resources.

Clean your faucet aerators. Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also referred to as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and metals, including lead particles, can collect in the aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.

Test your water for lead. The only way to determine the level of lead in drinking water at your home/building is to have the water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Test your child’s blood lead level. Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about exposure.