Address
500 SE 4th Street
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Office Numbers
Phone: 218-326-7024
Fax: 218-326-7499
Lead and Copper Service Line
Grand Rapids Public Utilities has completed and submitted our service line materials inventory to the Minnesota Department of Health. The service line inventory is publicly available, and you can check the materials for your service line by visiting the Lead Inventory Tracking Tool (LITT) at https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/ you may also contact us at 218.326.7024. To complete the service line inventory our system reviewed various historical records as well as conducted visual inspections and asked residents to fill out a self-identification survey. As of October 1, 2024, our inventory contains one (1) lead, 14 galvanized requiring replacement, 2,799 unknown material, and 683 non-lead service lines.
For information about potential financing solutions to assist property owners with replacement of lead service lines, please contact us at 218.326.7024 or info@grpuc.org.
For additional information on the Lead Service Line Replacement Program, please visit:
Lead Service Line Replacement Program Facts - MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)
(https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/lslrprogram.html)
For more information about lead in drinking water visit the Minnesota Department of Health webpage at: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/contaminant...
Health effects of lead
Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or worsen existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these negative health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney, or nervous system problems.
Steps you can take to reduce lead in drinking water
Below are recommended actions that you may take, separately or in combination, if you are concerned about lead in your drinking water. The list also includes links where you may find more information and is not intended to be a complete list or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead in drinking water.
Use a filter. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, see EPA’s https://www.epa.gov/water-research/consumer-tool-identifying-point-use-and-pitcher-filters-certified-reduce-lead.
Clean your aerator. Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in pipes providing water to your home, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home. Residents may contact us at 218.326.7024 or info@grpuc.org for recommendations about flushing times in their community.
Learn what your service line material is. Contact us, your water system, at 218.326.7024 or info@grpuc.org or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials. Alternatively, you can also follow this link: Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead to find lead pipes in your home.
Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Contact us, your water system, at 218.326.7024 or info@grpuc.org to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service line. Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line or galvanized service line if present.
Have your water tested. Contact us, your water system, at 218.326.7024 or info@grpuc.org to have your water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water. Alternatively, you can contact a Minnesota Department of Health accredited laboratory (https://eldo.web.health.state.mn.us/public/accreditedlabs/labsearch.seam) to purchase a sample container and instructions on how to submit a sample. Note, a water sample may not adequately capture or represent all sources of lead that may be present. For information on sources of lead that include service lines and interior plumbing, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#getinto
