In a recent government meeting, Madison Dunn, the environmental and regulatory supervisor for Southlake, provided an update on the city's compliance efforts regarding the revised lead and copper rule, which takes effect on October 16, 2023. This new regulation aims to enhance public health protections by addressing lead and copper contamination in drinking water.

Dunn explained that lead and copper can naturally occur in Texas water reservoirs but can leach into drinking water from plumbing systems if not properly treated. The revised rules require public water systems to identify all service line materials and streamline customer notification processes. A significant aspect of the new regulations mandates the complete removal of lead service lines within a decade, with a compliance deadline set for 2027.

The city has already initiated several proactive measures, including annual tap sampling, public notifications, and the creation of a service line inventory. Dunn highlighted the importance of transparency, stating that the city has developed tools to assist residents in verifying their service lines. A new online inventory map will be available on the city’s website, allowing residents to check the material of their service lines and access resources about lead exposure and health effects.

As part of the ongoing communication campaign, the city has engaged in social media outreach and prepared templates for public notifications. Dunn emphasized the collaborative efforts with consultants to ensure compliance and maintain public safety.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for questions from council members, who expressed their appreciation for the thorough preparation and updates provided by Dunn.