PUBLIC NOTICE: Monitoring Violation

The City of Oberlin Water System did not notify KDHE by the required deadline regarding its distribution of the Notification of Known or Potential Service Line Containing Lead. Although the Oberlin Public Water System informed customers with known or potential lead service lines within 30 days of completing the initial inventory, using the approved trifold, it did not certify delivery with KDHE, resulting in a violation. The city must continue annual notifications to affected customers until the entire service connection is confirmed to be free of lead, galvanized materials requiring replacement, or unknown materials.

A monitoring violation occurred because the System failed to notify KDHE that it had completed the notification trifold 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? This is simply a clerical error. The appropriate customers were notified, but we did not notify KDHE that the notifications were complete, resulting in the violation.

What is being done? We have already handed out the 2025 trifold notification letters to affected customers and have certified with KDHE their delivery. This is just a formality.

We anticipate resolving the problem as soon as these letters are sent to all customers in the city.

What is this for?

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 competition 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 risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney, or nervous system problems.

What should you do if you are concerned about lead?

1. 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 rush 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 for 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 for 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. Replace 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.

For more information, please contact: City of Oberlin 1 Morgan Dr. Oberlin, KS 67749 785-475-2217

This notice is being sent to you by CITY OF OBERLIN, #KS2003903 Date Distributed: 1/22/2026