Metro Water Services (MWS) has collected material data for the public (water main to meter) and private (water meter to residence/building) portion of water service lines for the EPA required service line inventory. Compilation of this data included reviewing old records dating back to 1904 as well as new construction records, use of a metal analyzer, and customer reported service line surveys.
The service line inventory is available in this interactive map: Water Service Line Pipe Material Inventory. Please note that the materials shown are to the best of MWS knowledge.
If your address shows unknown, take this service line inventory survey to help us document the material of your service line. Need guidance? Watch this video to help you locate your service line and determine the pipe material.
MWS staff and contractors will continue work in neighborhoods utilizing a metal analyzer to identify unknown pipe material. A postcard notification will be sent to property owners prior to inspection of their water service line.
- You will not experience any interruptions to your service during inspection.
- You will not have to interact with our crews.
- The service line will not be damaged.
Crews will begin working in the Bordeaux area 10/23.
View a map showing the current water service line inspection schedule. (This map will be updated as we progress through the county.)
Dates are Important….
Lead was the preferred piping material for service lines in the early 1900s. However, the MWS standard for service lines in 1970 was copper. The Standard Building Code was changed in an addendum revision in 1977 to remove lead pipe in above ground supply plumbing installations - this ordinance was adopted by Metro Council July 6, 1979 (Bill No 79-1349). In 1986, Congress enacted the “lead ban,” which stated that not only public water systems, but also anyone else who intends to install or repair drinking water plumbing connected to a public water system, must use “lead free materials.” In 2011, the Federal Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act, which redefines “lead free materials”, was signed into law and became effective in January 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is lead?
Lead is a naturally occurring metal that is harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Lead can be found in air, soil, dust, food, and water.
How can I be exposed to lead?
The most common source of lead exposure is from paint in homes and buildings built before 1978. Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust are the main sources of exposure for lead in U.S. children. Lead-based paints were banned for use in housing in 1978.
Although the main sources of exposure to lead are ingesting paint chips and inhaling dust, lead also can be found in some household plumbing materials and some water service lines.
What are the risks of lead exposure?
Although lead levels in blood in the United States has declined over the last 50 years, lead can cause a variety of adverse health effects when people are exposed to it. These effects may include increases in the blood pressure of some adults; delays in normal physical and mental development in babies and young children; and, deficits in the attention span, hearing, and learning abilities of children.
How does lead get into my drinking water?
Lead is rarely found naturally in our source water or in the treated water flowing through the distribution system. More commonly, lead leaches into water over time through corrosion. Lead can leach into water from lead pipes, copper pipes with lead solder, faucets or fittings made of brass. The amount of lead in your water depends on the types and amounts of minerals in the water, how long the water stays in the pipes, the water’s corrosivity, and water temperature.
How will I know if my drinking water has lead in it?
Water Services regularly tests the water at a selected number of lead service line locations. Customers residing in these homes are made aware of the results and they are also provided to the TN Department of Environment and Conservation, as required.
You can also have your water tested for lead by a certified laboratory. Since you cannot see, taste, or smell lead dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of telling whether there are harmful quantities of lead in your drinking water.
Is my home at risk for lead plumbing?
The EPA defines potential-risk homes as follows:
-Homes with a lead service line that connects the water main to your home’s internal plumbing.
-Homes with copper pipe and lead solder built after 1982 and before 1988.
-Homes with lead pipes.
In 1986, Congress enacted the “lead ban,” which stated that not only public water systems, but also anyone else who intends to install or repair drinking water plumbing connected to a public water system, must use “lead free materials.”
How can I find out if my home has lead plumbing?
If you’re concerned your home plumbing may contain lead pipes (lead is a dull gray metal that is soft enough to be easily scratched with a house key) or if you see signs of corrosion (frequent leaks, rust-colored water), you may want to have your water tested by a state-certified laboratory. Testing is the only way to confirm if lead is present or absent. For more information on testing your water, you can call Metro Water Services at 615-862-4600 or contact a private certified laboratory.
What is the cost of replacing a lead service line?
the actual cost of replacement reflects a number of factors including the length of the service line, the technique used to install the new service line, and the built environment where the service line is located.
Reducing Your Risk
- Run your water to flush out lead. If it hasn’t been used for several hours, run the water for three to five minutes to clear most of the lead from the water. (To conserve water, remember to catch the flushed tap water for plants or some other household use such as cleaning.)
- Always use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Never cook with or drink water from the hot water tap. Never use water from the hot water tap to make formula.
- Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
- Periodically remove and clean the faucet screen/aerator. While removed, run the water to eliminate debris.
- You may consider investing in a home water treatment device or alternative water source. When purchasing a water treatment device, make sure it is certified under NSF/ANSI 53 to remove lead. Search for certified products at NSF International (800-NSF-8010) or Water Quality Association (630-505-0160).
- Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead. Brass faucets, fittings and valves may leach lead into drinking water. Products sold after Jan. 4, 2014, must by law contain very low levels of lead.
- Have a licensed electrician check your wiring. Your home electrical system may be attached to your service line or elsewhere in your plumbing. If this connection is electrified, it can accelerate corrosion. Check with a licensed electrician to correct ground faults and evaluate your local electric code to determine if your wiring can be grounded elsewhere. DO NOT attempt to change the wiring yourself because improper bonding or grounding can cause electrical shock and fire hazards.