EVANSTON, CITY OF — Lead Service Line Inventory

About this water system

Evanston, City of serves approximately 12,000 residents in Wyoming. The system draws from surface water sources.

Lead service line inventory status

As of now, no lead service line inventory data is publicly available for this system. This does not mean there are no lead service lines—it means the utility has not yet completed or published a formal count.

Lead service lines are pipes made of lead that connect the water main (owned by the city) to individual homes. They were commonly installed before the 1980s. Water can pick up lead as it travels through these pipes, especially in homes with older plumbing or where the water is corrosive.

What you should know

Your water system may serve homes with lead service lines. Many water systems in the US, especially those built before 1980, have unknown numbers of lead service lines. The only way to know if your home has one is to:

• Contact your utility and ask about your property's service line material
• Hire a plumber to inspect your service line
• Get your water tested for lead (free or low-cost testing is often available through your state health department)

What's being done

Federal law now requires all water utilities to complete lead service line inventories by 2024. Evanston, City of may still be working on this. Contact the utility directly to ask when their inventory will be available and what they've found so far.

If you're concerned about lead in your water

The CDC recommends that parents of young children and pregnant people take lead seriously. Lead exposure in early childhood can affect brain development. If you have concerns about your family's health, contact your pediatrician or local health department.

Simple steps to reduce exposure include:

• Running cold water for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking (if you haven't used water for several hours)
• Using cold water for drinking and cooking
• Installing a certified lead filter, if recommended after testing

Next steps for residents

• Contact the utility: Ask Evanston, City of if they have a lead service line inventory and request information about your property's service line.
• Test your water: Contact the Wyoming Department of Health to find low-cost lead testing options.
• Know your home's age: If your home was built before 1980, the risk of a lead service line is higher.
• Ask your plumber: When you next have plumbing work done, ask the plumber to identify your service line material.

```json [ { "q": "Does Evanston have lead in the water?", "a": "Lead in drinking water usually comes from lead service lines or old plumbing in homes, not from the water source itself. Evanston has not yet published a lead service line inventory, so the number of affected properties is unknown. The best way to know your risk is to contact the utility or have your water tested." }, { "q": "How do I know if my home has a lead service line?", "a": "Contact Evanston, City of and ask about your property's service line. You can also hire a plumber to inspect it or get your water tested for lead. Your utility or state health department can point you to affordable testing options." }, { "q": "Is it safe to drink the water in Evanston right now?", "a": "If you're concerned, run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, use cold water for cooking, and consider testing your water. If your home has a lead service line, a certified filter can help reduce lead in your drinking water." }, { "q": "When will Evanston have a lead service line inventory?", "a": "Federal law requires all utilities to complete inventories by 2024. Contact Evanston, City of to ask about their timeline and what they've found so far."