​On August 4, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released guidance on conducting a lead service line inventory for compliance with the revised Lead and Copper Rule. The Collaborative is in the process of updating its materials to reflect U.S. EPA's guidance. Stay tuned for updated materials.

Identifying Service Line Material 

Identifying the material of a service line can be challenging: local plumbing codes vary and different pipe material and fittings were used during different decades. The materials available today were not necessarily available decades ago.

Lead pipe at a curbstop. Source: Philadelphia Water

One approach to identifying the material is to physically inspect the piping. Service line pipes may be exposed where the pipe enters the home through a basement wall or floor, at the water meter, or when discovered through excavating the dirt over the service line or where connected to the water main. 

Check out NPR's interactive tool to discover if you have lead pipes in your home. 

​Water lines are typically 12 inches below the depth soil freezes in a community, meaning that service lines are often three and half feet or more underground and much deeper in northern climates. Consequently, our knowledge of service line materials is only as good as the installation records, subsequent recorded repairs, and inspection of those parts of the service line that can be readily accessed.
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​While lead is visibly different from other metals routinely used for water pipes, test kits ​approved by EPA to test for lead paint can be used to test for lead on the surface of service lines. Information on lead testing resources are available at: 

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Lead Test Kits
• National Center for Healthy Housing: Lead Testing Kits

​If a pipe is painted, the lead kit will respond to the lead in paint. ​Be sure to confirm false negative test results using the “Test Confirmation Card” contained in the test kit.

Visual scratch testing

Lead is a dull gray color and very soft. If scraped with a key it will turn a bright silver color. Even a very strong magnet will not stick to lead. 
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DC Water: Understanding your Water Service Pipe

Source: ​DC Water

​More information concerning testing and identifying service line material is available at the following links:

• DC Water: Guide to Identifying Household Plumbing​
• EPA: Advice to Chicago Residents about Lead in Drinking Water
• ​Philadelphia Water Department: How to Check Your Service Line Material
• Water Testing

See a fact sheet of this page.