💧 Protecting Our Water: Moravia’s New Step in Lead and Copper Service Line Identification

Across the nation, communities are taking action to ensure that every family can trust the water that flows from their tap. The federal government’s new Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) require all public water systems to identify, document, and eventually replace any service lines that contain lead or other outdated materials.

Here in the Village of Moravia, we’re proud to say that we’re ahead of the curve. The Village has purchased the SWORDFISH™ detection system—an innovative tool that helps identify underground pipe materials quickly, safely, and accurately. This investment is an important step in protecting our residents and ensuring the long-term safety and reliability of our village water system.

Why This Matters

For generations, lead and copper were common materials in water service lines—the pipes that connect homes and businesses to the main water line. While these materials were once standard, we now know that lead poses serious health risks, particularly for children and expectant mothers.

Even low levels of lead exposure can affect brain development, learning ability, and long-term health. That’s why the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requiring all water systems, large and small, to complete a comprehensive inventory of every service line—public and private—to determine what materials are in the ground and where risks may exist.

How the Process Works

  1. Inventory and Identification
    Every water system must identify whether each service line is made of lead, copper, galvanized steel, plastic, or another material. Systems must also classify any “unknown” lines for further investigation.

  2. Verification and Testing
    For decades, utilities relied on old records or limited excavation to check a line’s material. The new requirement calls for verified field data—an area where technology like the SWORDFISH™ system makes a major difference.

  3. Public Transparency
    Once the inventory is complete, the Village will share a public list showing which service lines are confirmed lead, non-lead, or unknown. Residents will be notified directly if their property is affected.

  4. Planning for Replacement
    Over the coming years, every lead or galvanized line identified will need to be replaced. The federal goal is to eliminate all lead service lines nationwide within ten years.

⚡ Introducing the SWORDFISH™ System

The SWORDFISH™ is a handheld detection device developed by Electro Scan Inc. It uses a low-voltage electric current to determine a pipe’s composition without the need for digging or disrupting service.

This technology allows the Village of Moravia to:

  • Quickly confirm pipe materials between the main and individual service connections.

  • Reduce excavation costs and time, since it detects buried pipes without full exposure.

  • Collect accurate electronic data that can be integrated directly into our water system inventory.

  • Comply with state and federal rules while minimizing inconvenience to residents.

In short, SWORDFISH gives our water department a modern way to “see underground,” saving time, money, and guesswork as we identify what’s below the surface.

What This Means for Residents

Over the coming months, village staff will begin field inspections using the SWORDFISH system to verify pipe materials across Moravia. You may see crews working near curb stops or service connections, but no excavation or service interruption is expected during this process.

Once the inventory is complete, the Village will share results and notify property owners whose lines require follow-up or replacement. If your home was built before 1986, it’s more likely to have an older service line, but this new technology will confirm that with precision.

Residents can take proactive steps by:

  • Running cold water for several seconds before drinking or cooking.

  • Using NSF-certified filters if advised by the Village.

  • Staying informed through Moravia Community Connect and village website and newsletters.

Funding and Future Planning

Moravia’s proactive approach will also help us qualify for state and federal funding through programs like the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). By using advanced tools like SWORDFISH, the Village can present accurate data and well-defined replacement plans—strengthening our grant applications and protecting taxpayers.


A Word from the Village Board

“Our community deserves safe, clean drinking water for generations to come. By investing in technology like the SWORDFISH system, Moravia is taking a forward-looking approach to public health, transparency, and fiscal responsibility.”
— Paul Nelson, Village Trustee

Looking Ahead

The inventory process is just the first step in a long-term commitment to modernizing Moravia’s water infrastructure. Once complete, the Village will have a clear, data-driven understanding of our system—allowing us to prioritize replacements, apply for funding, and communicate clearly with residents.

Clean water is one of our most vital resources, and through careful planning and innovation, Moravia is ensuring that every drop remains safe.

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