The inventory was required by a new federal rule from the Environmental Protection Agency aimed at protecting public health. The EPA's revised Lead and Copper Rule mandates that all water suppliers complete a detailed accounting of the materials used in service lines—the pipes that connect homes to the main water system.

Edina's Public Works Department conducted the inventory by using a technique called hydro excavation at curb stops, the connection points where service lines meet the main system. The work identified the materials in previously unknown or unclear cases. The results were reassuring: no lead service lines were found in the city's water system.

However, the inventory did identify two galvanized steel lines that require replacement. Galvanized pipes, which are coated with zinc, can corrode over time and potentially leach metals into drinking water. The city has committed to replacing these lines at its own expense and will notify affected homeowners about the work.

Edina will submit its findings to the Minnesota Department of Health as required by the federal mandate. The city's proactive approach—paying for necessary replacements rather than passing costs to residents—sets a clear path forward for addressing any water quality concerns. Homeowners can expect notifications about the galvanized line replacements in the coming weeks.