Lead Service Lines in DCWA KNIGHTSVILLE

DCWA KNIGHTSVILLE serves roughly 40,000 people in South Carolina. Like all U.S. water systems, this utility is required by federal law to identify and report on lead service lines—the pipes that connect homes to the main water line underground.

What you need to know right now

The status: As of now, DCWA KNIGHTSVILLE has not completed a full inventory of lead service lines in its system. This means the utility is still in the process of identifying which homes may have lead pipes.

Why this matters: Lead service lines can leach lead into drinking water, especially in homes with acidic water or where pipes are older. The EPA and CDC both recommend that families with potential lead exposure take simple steps to reduce risk—running water before use, using cold water for cooking, and testing if concerned.

You are not alone. Thousands of water systems across the country are still completing these inventories. It's a large, ongoing project that takes time.

What DCWA KNIGHTSVILLE should do next

Water utilities have until 2024 to finish inventorying their lead service lines. DCWA KNIGHTSVILLE is working toward that deadline. Once the inventory is complete, the utility will be required to:

• Share the results with customers
• Create a plan to replace lead service lines over time
• Offer testing and water treatment assistance to at-risk homes

What you can do now

Contact your water utility directly to ask:

• Does your address have a lead service line or is it unknown?
• Can they help arrange water testing?
• Do they have a lead replacement program?

You can also take a water sample and have it tested by a certified lab. The EPA's water testing guide walks you through the process.

If you have young children or are pregnant, talk to your pediatrician or OB-GYN about drinking water safety in your home.

Next steps for residents

• Call DCWA KNIGHTSVILLE to ask if your home's service line is known, galvanized, or unknown
• Request a water test from the utility or arrange one through a certified lab
• Don't panic—many homes with lead pipes have safe water; running the water before use and using cold water for cooking are proven, simple steps
• Check the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule page for more information on your rights and protections

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