What is a water service line?
The pipe that runs from the water main to your home's internal plumbing to deliver your water.
What are the types of piping?
There are four types: Lead, Copper, Galvanized, Plastic
Steps to Check your line
What do you need?
Key/screwdriver and strong magnet
1. Locate your line:
Basement:
The incoming water service in your home can either come up from the basement floor or out of the wall in the basement.
Crawlspace:
The water service should be down there and come up from the floor.
Slab: The incoming water service should come up through the main floor (typically in a utility closet).
2. Scratch surface of pipe (for non-plastic piping)
Identify a test area on the pipe between the point of entry and the inlet valve (see illustration to the left). If the pipe is covered or wrapped, expose a small area of metal.
Scratch the surface of the pipe using a screwdriver or key.
3. Compare findings
Lead Pipe: The area will be shiny and silver. Magnet will not stick to it.
Copper Pipe: The area will look like a penny coloring. Magnet will not stick to it.
Galvanized: The area will look dull gray. Magnet sticks to it.
Why does it matter?
The Federal Government mandated we must find out where lead services are located to begin the process of eliminating them. Lead, unlike other drinking water contaminants, is usually not present in the drinking water source. It results from the distribution system or on-site plumbing itself. Lead gets into water at the tap when water corrodes lead in pipes, fixtures, and solder. The most impactful way to reduce the risk of exposure to lead in drinking water is to remove the lead service line that brings water to your home from the water main in the street.
How to tell us:
1. Click the following link to fill-in the form: https://docs.google.com/forms/...
2. Call City Hall @ 618-524-4016