Lead & Copper
To better protect your drinking water and all the things
Do you know when your house was built?
If your house was built after 1989, it is unlikely that you have lead plumbing. Don't know when your house was built? Check the Hamilton County Assessor website to find out.
Do you have lead pipes?
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water hotline at (800) 426-4791 or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. If your home was built before 1990, it’s a possibility some of your service lines or indoor plumbing could contain lead pipes.
What is a service line?
Service lines carry water from the main water line (usually in the Right-of-Way) to your home. Part of the service line is the utility’s responsibility and part of the service line is located on private property. The new guidance from the EPA is interested in knowing not just what the utility has in the ground but also what is on the homeowner’s side of the meter. The EPA is requiring all water utilities to work with property owners whose homes were built before 1990 to determine the material type on the private side of the service line.
What type of service line do you have?
Lead Pipes
Lead pipes can easily be scratched with a key or coin and are not magnetic.
Galvanized Pipes
Galvanized pipes should appear gray or silver in color and if you put a stong magnet to them, it will stick.
Copper Pipes
Shiny like a penny? Copper.
PVC or Pex
If it's plastic, please take the survey to let us know!
Questions?
Contact water@signalmountaintn.gov to get more information