Service lines are small-diameter water pipes that connect a public water system to a home or building.

Ownership of service lines is split between the City of Broken Arrow and individual property owners. The City of Broken Arrow owns what is called the public service line (the portion that extends from the water main to the water meter), the water meter, and a small portion of the service line (less than two feet, known as the pigtail) that runs past the water meter. Property owners own the remaining portion of the line, known as the private service line, which extends from the end of the public line to the point where it enters their home or building, as well as all indoor plumbing.

Private water service lines are installed by the builder. City of Broken Arrow crews work only on public lines. A licensed plumber can help with private water lines.

Yes. There is a small portion of pipe that goes beyond the water meter, and it is called the pigtail. The pigtail is the City of Broken Arrow’s responsibility to maintain. The pigtail is generally copper, plastic or galvanized steel and can vary in length. Typically, the pigtail runs 18-24 inches beyond the water meter until it connects to the private service line.

While the City of Broken Arrow will continue to work toward identifying unverified service lines as information becomes available, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all lead service lines and galvanized requiring replacement (GRR) service lines to be verified before the end of 2037.

No. The water treated and delivered from our Verdigris River Water Treatment Plant does not contain lead. Additionally, no large pipes (water mains) within the City of Broken Arrow’s water distribution system contains lead.

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. Broken Arrow’s water quality staff help protect customers by reducing the risk of lead exposure by sampling regularly, and treatment processes that help resist corrosion of water supply lines.

The City of Broken Arrow’s annual Drinking Water Quality Report, known as the Consumer Confidence Report or CCR, includes important information about the quality and safety of the City of Broken Arrow’s drinking water. The 2023 report shows that the drinking water meets or exceeds all Federal and State standards. The CCR offers a detailed overview of the sources of the City of Broken Arrow’s drinking water, the substances it contains and much more. Required by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) and the EPA, the report is released annually by July 1 and reflects data for the year prior.

For specific questions related to a service address, email COBAUtilities@brokenarrowok.gov. 

As part of the inventory effort, and in compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), the City of Broken Arrow will send notification letters to Utilities customers if the public and/or private service line material at their property has been verified as lead or galvanized steel requiring replacement.

Customers where service line material remains unverified will also receive a notification letter. The letters will help customers understand the status of the service lines their property is served by and guidelines for any necessary next steps. Letters will be mailed to customers by the EPA deadline of November 15. Customers will not receive a notification letter if the public and private service lines at their property have been verified as non-lead.

Yes, as under Oklahoma law, and the City’s Municipal Code, the property owner is responsible for the private side of the service line.

Please contact the Utilities Department by emailing COBAUtilities@brokenarrowok.gov if you plan to replace the private service line so that we can update our inventory accordingly and provide you with important resources regarding essential steps to take after a service line is replaced. When replacing your plumbing and water fixtures, look for products that are NSF certified and bear the NSF mark. It certifies the product meets new lead-free requirements.

In compliance with the LCRR, the City of Broken Arrow is currently developing a service line replacement plan to be published by the EPA deadline of late 2027. The timeline of public service line replacements has yet to be determined. When finalized, the City of Broken Arrow’s plan will provide for the replacement of every public service line identified as lead. As of October 2024, the City did not identify any lead service lines on the city or customer services. The City did identify a small number of residents with Galvanized Iron/Steel and has notified those residents. The plan will be published online at brokenarrowok.gov/utilities. When line replacement is scheduled for a property, advance notice will be given to the Utilities account owner (customer) associated with the service address.

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 exacerbate existing learning and behavior 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 risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney, or nervous system problems.

For more information, visit the EPA’s website.

The EPA has set the maximum contaminant level goal for lead in drinking water at zero because lead is a toxic metal that can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels. As part of the City’s treatment process, we take steps to reduce the potential for material in lead and galvanized lines to leach into drinking water. Broken Arrow’s drinking water meets all Federal and State safe drinking water standards, which include those set forth by the EPA.

However, there are additional steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of your exposure to lead, which are listed on our website (Reducing Exposure to Lead) as well as the EPA’s website.