OKC Utilities continues EPA Revised Lead and Copper Rule compliance
Published on December 29, 2025
The Oklahoma City Utilities Department is continuing its compliance efforts under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Revised Lead and Copper Rule, including mailing annual notification letters to certain customers about the status of their water service lines.
EPA rules require annual notification letters be mailed by Dec. 31. Customers who are scheduled to receive a notice should expect to see their letter arrive around the start of the new year.
Starting in 2024, the EPA began requiring all public water systems to notify customers annually if their public or private service line material was identified as lead, galvanized steel requiring replacement, or remains unverified. Customers with verified non-lead public and private service lines will not receive a letter. Approximately 90% of Oklahoma City Utilities customers fall into this category.
Over the past year, contractors with the Utilities Department completed roughly 7,200 service line investigations across Oklahoma City neighborhoods. These efforts focused on identifying the material type of previously unverified service lines.
As a result, some customers who received a notice letter in the past year stating their public and private service line was unverified may receive a letter this year that reflects newly verified information about their service line material.
Customers are reminded that they can check the status of their public and private service lines at any time using the City's Lead-Safe Community Database at okc.gov/leadsafe. The database is kept updated in real time.
The Utilities Department is currently developing a service line replacement plan, which will be published by the EPA’s deadline in late 2027. While the timeline for public service line replacements has not yet been determined, the finalized plan will provide for the replacement of every public service line identified as lead.
At this time, there is no Federal or State assistance available to help customers replace private service lines. If public assistance becomes available in the future, the City will notify customers.
For more information about the Lead-Safe OKC program, how to self-report the material of your private service line, and steps you can take to reduce potential lead exposure, visit okc.gov/leadsafe. Included on the website are FAQs regarding general information as well as tailored information about homes and businesses.
Background
Does Oklahoma City have lead in its water supply? No. The water treated and delivered from our two treatment plants does not contain lead. Additionally, the City's water distribution system does not contain any lead water mains (large pipes).
How does lead get into drinking water? Lead is typically only detected in water that has traveled through lead service lines, galvanized lines downstream from lead lines, or copper lines with lead solder, lead joints or lead fittings. Over time, lines can corrode, allowing small amounts of lead to leach into the water. OKC water quality staff help protect customers by reducing the risk of lead exposure by using a corrosion inhibitor.
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Media Contact: Jasmine Morris, (405) 297-1950, jasmine.morris@okc.gov