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1. What has been done to reduce Lead exposure in the Northeast Water System?

To achieve Lead & Copper Rule compliance within the Rowan County Northeast Water System (NEWS), Salisbury-Rowan Utilities has implemented changes to the pH and orthophosphate at their water treatment plant (WTP): 

• Increased the finished water pH leaving the Salisbury WTP to 7.2 - 7.4 (May 21, 2021)
• Changed corrosion inhibitor to Zinc Orthophosphate at the Salisbury WTP (June 4, 2021)
• Certification of Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment form for the approved treatment changes at the Salisbury-Rowan Utilities water treatment plant sent to NCDEQ.  (June 11, 2021)
• The Chemical Booster Station achieved substantial completion and is currently being used to adjust pH levels to maintain compliance with widely varied water rates on the NEWS lines. (January 1, 2023)

2. What has worked and why is there a plumbing grant?

• The conversion to Zinc Orthophosphate has proven to be the most successful solution in preventing lead leaching from inside plumbing for homes with lead solder joints.   We have seen this in both of our 6-month sampling periods for Lead and Copper compliance for the last year (2022).   This chemical is safe to drink and works over time with water flow through the interior plumbing. 

• While Rowan County recognizes that the solutions in place are required and do work to bring down lead levels in drinking water to safe levels, there may be specific cases with customers on the Northeast Water System, that the most effective solution is for interior plumbing replacement which is above and beyond State and Federal standards.  

3. How are costs of the plumbing grant funded?

Rowan County is utilizing Federal funds from the (American Rescue Plan Act) ARPA for all reimbursable costs for plumbing.   As such, we must meet all required procurement guidelines and dates for ARPA expenditures.

4. How are you measuring success for those that participate in the plumbing grant program?

Rowan County is using a data-driven approach by gathering water sampling results prior to the plumbing replacement as well as a post-install water sampling to ensure all lead sources have been removed and test results confirm this.

5. Are there any costs for me to perform voluntary water sampling for Lead and Copper?

• No, all associated costs for the testing materials, lab review and submission to the state are covered by Rowan County.
• You must use a test kit from Rowan County through 120Water as it meets standards and included tracking for County and State reporting.
• The kit includes instructions for water sample collection and mailing back to the lab.