Lead Water Pipes

Protect Your Plumbing and the Water You Use Every Day

Older plumbing materials can affect the water you use for drinking and cooking. While treated drinking water is safe when it leaves the utility, it can come into contact with lead through older pipes, fixtures or service lines before reaching your tap.Understanding your home’s plumbing and knowing what steps to take can help reduce potential lead exposure and protect the water your household uses every day.

Understanding Lead in Pipes

Lead can sometimes be found in older plumbing materials, including service lines, pipes and fixtures. These materials may affect water quality when water sits in or moves through parts of a home’s plumbing system.

What to Know:

Homes built before 1988 are more likely to have lead plumbing
Homeowners are responsible for the plumbing inside their home
Drinking and cooking water are the main concerns because lead is not absorbed through the skin

Check Your Plumbing

If you are concerned about lead in your plumbing, start by checking exposed pipes where they enter your home or connect near your water meter.

Pipe Identification Tips:

Copper pipes are orange like a penny
Galvanized steel pipes are dull gray and magnetic
Lead pipes are gray, soft and not magnetic

You can also use a home test kit or hire a certified plumber to help identify plumbing materials.

Reduce Lead Exposure

If your home has older plumbing or you are concerned about lead, simple steps can help reduce potential exposure.

Ways to Reduce Exposure:

Run cold water for a few minutes before drinking or cooking if water has been sitting
Use only cold water for drinking and food preparation
Clean faucet aerators regularly
Consider using a certified water filter that removes lead

If lead is present, replacing pipes is the most effective long-term solution. You can also contact your local water utility for guidance and available resources.

Contact Your Local Water Utility

Questions about your service line, local water quality or available resources should be directed to your local water utility. They can help provide guidance specific to your community and water system.

Community Resources

Water Conservation

Learn simple ways to save water indoors and outdoors while supporting reliable water resources across Hampton Roads.

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Winterizing Your Pipes

Your home’s plumbing system plays an important role in protecting water quality and preventing water loss – especially during colder months or in older homes.

Learn More