Water Service Line Inventory
What Is a Service Line Inventory?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all public water systems to develop a comprehensive inventory of water service line materials.
This inventory documents the type of material used in the water service line that connects the water main in the street to your home or business. Materials may include copper, galvanized steel, plastic, or lead.
Water Service Line Inventory Survey
Why It Matters
While the water we provide meets all state and federal safety standards, older service lines may contain lead or galvanized materials that can contribute to lead exposure. Identifying these materials helps us:
- Protect public health.
- Stay compliant with EPA regulations.
- Plan for future replacement of lead or galvanized lines.
Who Owns What?
- City/Utility Responsibility: The portion of the service line from the water main to the curb stop.
- Property Owner Responsibility: The portion of the service line from just after curb stop to house.
How do I find my service line?
Your service line is typically located near your water main shut-off valve. This is often found in your basement, crawl space, or garage.
- If your meter is in the house, the service line will directly connect to the meter before being distributed through your home.
- If your meter is in a meter pit in your yard, the City-owned side of the service line will connect from the watermain to your meter and the resident-owned side of the service line will connect from the meter to your home.
How do I determine my service line material type?
There are various at-home tests you can complete to assist with determining your material type. Your service line is likely made of either copper, galvanized steel, plastic, or lead. Try to locate where your service line comes into your house/business and perform these simple tests to determine your service line material.
- Plastic pipes are often black or blue and easily recognizable.
- If a magnet sticks to the pipe, it is likely galvanized steel as lead and copper are not magnetic.
- Another option is to complete a “scratch test” with a screwdriver and create a small scratch on the service line. If the scratch is shiny and copper in color (like a new penny, orange in color), your line is made of copper.
- If it scratches easily and the scratch is shiny and silver, your line is made of lead.
Follow the steps HERE to determine your water service line material.
Why did I receive a letter in the mail?
You were sent a survey to help verify the material type of the service line coming into the basement or crawl space of your home or business so that the water system can compile an inventory of all service line materials within the distribution community.
All City of West Carrollton residents and business owners who are charged for water use on their West Carrollton utility bill received a bill insert letter in September with the survey information. Click below to review the bill insert.
September 2025 Water Bill Insert
Background: Lead and Copper
Lead and copper in drinking water is a topic of important national discussion. Lead has seen an increased amount of attention and oversight due to adverse health effects and issues other US cities have had concerning lead in drinking water. Although the City of West Carrollton delivers customers lead-free water, lead can get into water as it sits or passes through internal plumbing systems or fixtures that contain lead. Older homes are more likely to have plumbing systems that contain lead.
One potential for lead contamination of the water occurs when the service line between the water main at the street and the home contains lead. Although Ohio adopted a lead service line ban in late 1988, lead may also be present in the solder used on copper pipes before 1998, and in older brass fixtures. Until 2014, brass fixtures were allowed to contain up to 8% lead. Historically, lead was commonly used for water service lines due to its durability and pliability. While the City of West Carrollton’s water chemistry minimizes the leaching of lead into the water, when a service line is disturbed due to work being completed on or around the line, lead can be released into the water.
More information:
Basic information about lead in your drinking water.
Protect your tap: A quick check for lead.
