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1. What is a water service line?

Water service lines are small pipes that carry water from the City of Norfolk’s water mains, located in the streets, into individual homes and buildings.  

2. Who owns the water service line on my property?

Service lines can be made of lead, galvanized steel (which might contain lead), plastic, brass, copper, cast iron, or ductile iron.  

Homes built before 1988 may have lead pipes that connect the home to the utility’s water main. Homes built after 1988 should not have a lead service line. 

3. What type of materials are service lines made of?

Service lines can be made of lead, galvanized steel (which might contain lead), plastic, brass, copper, cast iron, or ductile iron.

4. What other sources of lead are there in my home?

Other sources of lead include plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, fittings, etc.), indoor copper plumbing pipes with lead solder, and lead paint. Lead paint in homes is typically the greatest contributor to lead exposure for young children.

Lead solder was commonly used to join copper pipes until around 1986 when it was banned.  As lead solder is in direct contact with copper pipe, lead could be released into the drinking water. Lead paint was banned for residential use in 1978. Homes built before this time may have lead-based paint and dust contaminated with lead-based paint.

5. How do I find where the water service line is on my property?

A service line will typically enter your home or building through the wall or floor in the basement or crawlspace. The exposed pipe usually connects to a water shut-off valve. Contact us if you need help finding your water service line.

6. How does lead get into the drinking water?

When water leaves the City of Norfolk water treatment plant, it does not contain lead; it is safe to drink and complies with Federal and State standards.

Lead gets into the drinking water due to the corrosion of lead pipes or other parts made from lead, including the service line between the street and your home or building. We use a corrosion control treatment that coats the lining of the water system to reduce lead in the water. This treatment has been used for over three decades and sampling results continue to show that that it is effective. The water mains in the street that distribute water from the treatment plant are mostly made of iron or plastic and do not leach lead into the drinking water.

7. Why is Lead a Public Health Risk?

Prolonged lead exposure can lead to health problems. Pregnant women, young children and elderly adults are most impacted. In pregnant women, lead can be passed to the fetus through the placental membrane leading to premature deliveries and reduced growth. In young children, low levels of lead exposure have been related to damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, learning disabilities, shorter height, impaired hearing, and impaired blood cell formation and function. For adults, high levels of lead exposure can cause damage to the kidneys, brain, and nervous system. 

According to the US EPA, there is no safe level of lead that can be consumed or ingested.

8. What is the Revised Lead and Copper Rule?

Since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first published the Lead and Copper Rule in 1991, it has been revised multiple times to better protect children and communities at risk for lead exposure.  After several years of review and analysis, the EPA released Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) on October 16, 2021. City of Norfolk must comply with the rule by October 16, 2024. Lead and Copper Rule Revisions requirements include: 

• Develop a materials inventory of all service lines – public and private
• Create a lead service line replacement plan based on the results of the inventory
• Update/expand the compliance sampling pool based on new criteria
• Prepare a sampling plan for schools and licensed daycares
• Review and/or develop the corrosion control program 

For more information on the Lead and Copper Rule, visit: 

• United States EPA Lead and Copper Rule
• United States EPA Revised Lead and Copper Rule

9. What is the City of Norfolk doing about lead service lines?

The City of Norfolk is committed to providing safe and clean water to all of our customers.  We comply with all laws to maintain high water quality. In 2021 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised their Lead and Copper Rule. Under the revisions, water systems are required to perform an inventory of water service line materials to learn if the water system contains any lead or galvanized steel water service lines. Once the inventory is complete, Norfolk will develop a plan for replacement of the lead service lines and work with the impacted property owners. 

Our chemists continuously monitor drinking water.  The water production team utilizes a corrosion control treatment, which coats the lining of service lines, indoor pipes, fixtures, and solder, to reduce lead seepage into the distribution system. This corrosion control treatment has been in place for over three decades. To date, sampling results indicate that our corrosion control treatment is effective.

10. How do I know if I have a lead or galvanized steel service line that needs to be replaced?

Verify your service line’s materials by following the instructions provided on our Service Line Material Self-Reporting Form.

11. What should I do if I am concerned about lead in my drinking water?

If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, you are encouraged to have your water and service lines tested. Visit Water Quality Testing for more information.

12. How do I report my water service line material to the City of Norfolk?

Report your service line materials using our online Service Line Material Self-Reporting Form.

13. If my home’s plumbing has a lead service line or lead solder, how can I protect myself?

If you think you have a lead service line or lead solder, a metal alloy made from lead and tin used to join pipes together, you can take steps to decrease your lead exposure, including: 

• Running tap water for at least five (5) minutes before you use it for drinking or cooking if the water has gone unused for more than six hours. In doing so, you are flushing stagnant water and getting fresh water from the water main pipe.
• Using fresh, cold, running water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.
• Removing and cleaning faucet screens and aerators every six months.
• Buying plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, sinks, hose bibs, etc.) that have zero- or low-lead content meeting the current “lead-free” requirements. Read the labels of new plumbing fixtures closely.
• Using a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)-Certified home water treatment device, faucet, or pitcher filter that removes lead. The device must be both NSF 42- and NSF 53- certified to remove lead.
• Replacing your lead service line.

14. What should I do if I suspect lead poisoning?

If you are concerned about lead poisoning, visit: the U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline. Fill out the online form (U.S. EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water) or call 1-800-424-LEAD (1-800-424-5323).