(1/27) Like all municipalities, Emmitsburg is currently working on the Lead and Copper Rule Revision mandate that was released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2021. The project requires the Town to identify the composition of the water lines to every house and categorize the service line materials as "Lead, Galvanized Requiring Replacement, Non-lead" or "Lead Status Unknown."

A complete service line material inventory was required to be done by October of 2024, with a complete replacement plan needed by 2027. The mandate requires every lead and galvanized pipe in the Nation to be replaced by 2034.

The inventory must include all water supply lines to each home or building, regardless of ownership or current use of the house; meaning even if a house is vacant or abandoned, it must be inspected.

The Town must also notify the homeowner, if they discover that their connection to the Town’s water system is through lead pipes, with a recommendation to replace the pipes. Replacement, however, will be at the expense of the homeowner. The Town is responsible for lines traveling from the water plant to the water main while homeowners are responsible from the main to their residence.

Per the 1986 Safe Drinking Water Act, lead water pipes were banned for use in drinking water and distribution. Maryland, however, had prohibited the use of lead water pipes in 1972, a prohibition that was subsequently enacted in Frederick County building codes by the prohibition of lead water pipes in homes.

Because Maryland banned the use of lead water pipes in 1972, the MDE Lead Pipe Inventory criteria calls for Towns to prioritize the inspection of water pipe connections for homes built before 1972. However, the inventory still requires a certification for all homes, which will require the Town to document that homes built after 1972 were built to the updated code. This also allows the Town to rule out non-lead lines based on when the home was built.

According to Town Manager Cathy Willets, the second round of survey letters notifying residents of the required information went out in November. As of December, the Town is aware of 2 lead, 16 galvanized, 571 non-lead and 473 unknowns, due to lack of information on either the Town or customer side. The survey does require residents to photograph their lines, which, according to Willets, was missing on some surveys, thus making them "unknowns."

The Town will be required to verify a minimum of 20% of all unknown lines; this is approximately 95 to 100 homes to date, costing the Town an estimated $70,000 to $100,000. To do this the Town has two options: one is by excavation, which is costly and requires digging the pipes up. The second option is a camera system called "Swordfish" that can travel down the pipes to view their construction. The camera option is less invasive and less costly at an estimated $67,000. There is a federal grant available to cover the cost of verification.

The Town’s goal in 2025 is to eliminate as many "unknowns" as possible. Residents are encouraged to continue doing the surveys and taking the required photo of their service lines.