Pubic Notice

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

DOWNS, CITY OF Water System failed to distribute the Notification of Known or Potential Service Line Containing Lead by the deadline date. Public water systems should have provided the enclosed notification trifold template to customers where a known or a potential service line containing lead is present within 30 days of completion of the initial inventory and repeat notification on an annual basis until the entire service connection is no longer lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or unknown. For new customers, water systems shall also provide the notice at the time-of-service initiation.

A monitoring violation occurred because the System failed to distribute the notification trifold template by the deadline date.

As our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this situation.

What does this mean?

On January 15, 2021, the EPA promulgated the first major update to the Lead and Copper Rule, known as the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 141.84(a), The LCRR requires, among other things, that community and non-transient non-community water systems must develop an inventory to identify the materials of service lines connected to the public water distribution systems regardless of ownership status and water systems must notify customers of known or potential service line containing lead is present within 30 days of completion of the initial Lead Service Line Inventory.

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.

What should I do?

Use a water 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 been expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter that you use for drinking or cooking.

2. Clean your aerator: Regularly clean your faucet's screen. Sediment debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water. Turn on full flow to let water run after cleaning. After replacing the clean aerator turn on full flow to let water run to flush loose particles after cleaning before drinking.

3. 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.

4. Run Your Water: If your water has been sitting in the pipes more than 18 hours, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, let the water run for at least 30 seconds or until the temperature changes.

5. If you're concerned about construction disturbing your service lines: Contact your water system to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service lines. Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line or galvanized service line if lead is present.

6. If you want your water tested: Contact your water system to learn about your options with having your water tested for lead.

7. Get your child tested to determine lead levels in their blood: A family doctor, pediatrician, or your County Health Department can perform a childhood blood lead level test and provide information about the health effects of lead. KDHE can also provide information about how you can have your child's blood tested for lead.

8. Replacing lead service lines or galvanized requiring replacement service lines: If you replace your service lines, make sure to use filters for 6 months after service line replacement. For questions on filters, contact your water system.

What is being done?

[Describe corrective action.] The City of Downs has mailed a trifold notice to homes with lead, galvanized, or unknown water lines on October 22, 2025. The public notice is being posted on our website and in the official newspaper, Downs News and Times.

We anticipate resolving the problem within [estimated time frame] 6 months of October 22, 2025.

For more information, please contact

Name: MIRANDA ROBINSON 715 RAILROAD ST DOWNS, KS 67437

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by DOWNS, CITY OF, #KS2014101

Date distributed: November 6, 2025