Frequently Asked Questions
I received a door hanger stating the City of Bradenton will begin the inventory of service lines in my area soon. How do I contact Public Works?
You can email drinkingwater@bradentonfl.gov, contact by phone 941-708-6384.
What is my role as a homeowner? What do I have to do?
Please note that this process will be carried out by our technicians, and no action is required from you. The collected information will be made available to the public on our website in the future.
What Does This Entail?
A City technician will perform a visual inspection of the water service lines on both sides of the water meter by removing a small section of sod to dig and confirm the material of your water line. Once completed, they will replace the dirt and sod before leaving.
All City technicians will carry proper identification.
Why my house?
All houses in all areas of Bradenton are subject to a Citywide sampling in order to identify lead and copper private laterals.
What is a “private lateral?”
A private lateral is the pipe that goes from the City meter to your home.
What if I do have lead and copper laterals?
If your lateral is determined to be lead or copper or unknown, the City will provide you with a pitcher filter or point-of-use device for six (6) months or until the material is identified and/or the pipe is replaced.
Is the water safe to drink?
Yes! The City of Bradenton provides safe water to drink. This project is necessary only so that the City can comply with EPA rules to maintain a safe water system. View our Drinking Water Quality Reports.
What if you damage my pipe?
If the pipe is damaged in any way during the identification test, the City will repair it at no cost to you.
What if I refuse to investigate my portion of the service line or do not respond to the requests from the City of Bradenton?
If a customer refuses, a signed or verbal refusal will be documented and included in the inventory updates and sent to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. You can digitally submit the refusal form here. Refusal Form.
What are the health risks of lead and copper in drinking water?
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 behavioral problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavioral problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney, or nervous system problems.
Copper is an essential nutrient, but excessive exposure can cause health problems. Short-term exposure to high levels of copper can cause gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Long-term exposure can lead to liver or kidney damage and other health issues.
How can I find out if my home has lead pipes?
To determine if your home has lead pipes, you can:
- Look for visible pipes lead pipes are typically dull gray, soft, and can be scratched easily with a key.
- Check the age of your home. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes.
- Contact a licensed plumber to inspect your plumbing system and identify the material of your pipes.
What steps can I take to reduce my exposure to lead and copper?
- To reduce exposure to lead and copper in drinking water:
- If you suspect you have a lead line run your tap water for 3-5 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking, especially if the water has been sitting in the pipes for several hours. If you don’t have a lead line run your tap water for 30-60 seconds.
- Use cold water for cooking, drinking and use in baby formula, as hot water is more likely to leach lead from pipes. Boiling water does not reduce lead levels.
- Regularly clean faucet aerators to remove debris.
- Consider installing a water filter that is certified to remove lead and copper. Be sure to maintain and replace the filter according to the manufacturer's instructions. Read about Certified Filtration Devices.
- Have your water tested for lead and copper, especially if you live in an older home or suspect the presence of lead pipes.
- For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s Website, or contact your health care provider.
How often is our water tested for lead and copper?
Under the LCR, water systems are required to conduct lead and copper testing at a frequency determined by the size of the system and previous test results. Typically, systems must test:
- Every six months if previous samples exceeded the action levels.
- Every three years if previous samples were at or below the action levels.
These testing frequencies can vary based on the specific circumstances and history of the water system, our system has had very few lead exceedances and are on a Triennial sampling plan (every three years). We sample sixty (60) homes throughout the city that were built prior to the 1990 state lead ban.
How long will this study take?
The entire study could take several years to complete.
Why so long?
The City of Bradenton has close to 20,000 households to test.
When does this start?
The study/inventory must be completed by October 16, 2024.