Water Line Service Inventory

The State of Minnesota Department of Health Mandatory Service Line Inventory

The Minnesota Department of Health has passed a law requiring Minnesota Cities to complete a water service line inventory of all properties by Fall 2024.  The purpose of this rule is to identify any and all lead service lines inside homes and businesses. Prolonged exposure to lead may lead to detrimental health impacts or birth defects. 

To do this, we are asking homeowners to send the City information about the water service line entering their home.

• Provide the City of Howard Lake a clear picture of the service line and the first valve prior to your water meter (preferably showing the side of the water valve).  Be sure the picture also includes the floor, foundation, or ground in which the service makes its entry from the ground.
• If the service water line has paint, corrosion, etc., please  scrape or remove such items for clear identification of the service line material prior to taking the picture.
• If material of the service line looks gray or dark gray, please use a magnet on a cleaned section of the service line.  If a magnet sticks to the service line, please show this in your picture.