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Lead and Copper Information

  1. Water Resource Management
  2. Water Operations
Water Resource Management

The Bailey-Alexander Complex

1501 W Samford Ave

Tim Johnson, P.E.

Tim Johnson, P.E.

Principal Utility Engineer

There are several factors protecting our drinking water from lead contamination. First, the Auburn Water Works Board (AWWB) has excellent drinking water sources that have very low corrosivity unlike systems where lead contamination has been an issue. In addition, prior to being distributed to our customers, the pH of the drinking water is adjusted at the water treatment plant so that it is balanced before it enters the system. To further safeguard against corrosion and lead/copper issues, the AWWB utilizes a corrosion inhibitor at its treatment plant that covers the interior of the pipes with a protective coating.

According to EPA and Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) regulations, in 2024 the AWWB completed an inventory of the water service lines throughout the system.  A water service line is the pipe that connects your home or business to the water system's main water pipes.  In our system, the AWWB owns and maintains the water service line from the water main to the water meter, and the customer owns and maintains the service line from the meter to the customer's home or business.  The inventory classifies the service lines into three main categories: Lead, Non-Lead, and Galvanized Requiring Replacement.  Over 26,000 service lines were inventoried and all service lines are classified as "Non-Lead".  A copy of the inventory is found in the link below.  The document can be searched for specific addresses (pressing CTRL+F).  If you have any questions, or if you note any descrepancies, feel free to contact us.

If you are unsure if your home contains lead pipes, a certified plumber should be able to help you determine whether or not they are present in your home. If you are interested in learning more about this topic, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has several internet resources available online about this subject. Should you have any questions on this topic, feel free to contact us.

For more information on lead and copper, please see: