OWASA’s Service Line Inventory

• Lead Status Unknown: The material of the service line is unknown. We have no evidence, thus far, to classify it.
• Non-Lead: The service line material is not lead or galvanized requiring replacement, as determined by date of installation (post 1986), observation, or machine learning.
• Lead: The service line is made of lead. OWASA has not identified any lead service lines in our community.
• Galv Req Replacement: The service line is made of galvanized steel and could, at one point in time (although not currently), been downstream of a lead service line. Because we cannot prove that it was never downstream of a lead water line, out of an abundance of caution, we are categorizing it as “galvanized requiring replacement”.

Galvanized pipe has the potential to “collect” lead particles if they are downstream of a lead pipe. These particles can be released into the drinking water if there is a disruption to the service line (such as a meter replacement, nearby water line break, etc.). Currently, there are no lead water lines in OWASA’s service area. However, because we cannot prove that there never were lead water lines, we must assume that there were. Out of an abundance of caution these service lines are categorized as “galvanized requiring replacement”.

Galvanized service lines that have absorbed lead can contribute to lead in drinking water. People living in homes with a galvanized service line that has absorbed lead may have an increased risk of exposure to lead from their drinking water. Below are recommended actions that you may take, separately or in combination, if you are concerned about lead in your drinking water.

1. Have your water tested: OWASA will provide lead and copper testing of our drinking water at no charge when requested by a customer. Analysis is performed by an independent contract laboratory. To request a lead and copper test kit, please contact our laboratory staff at 919-537-4228 or WTPLaboratory@owasa.org. Alternatively, you may contact a certified laboratory to have your water tested for lead. A list of certified laboratories is available through North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services. Note, a water sample may not adequately capture or represent all sources of lead that may be present. For information on sources of lead that include service lines and interior plumbing, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#getinto
2. Make sure you get notice about utility construction in your neighborhood. Call 919-537-4343 or complete the form at https://www.owasa.org/my-account/ to ensure that we have the most accurate way to notify you of utility construction or water line breaks that affect your water line. Construction and disturbances have the potential to release lead particles collected by a galvanized service line
3. Clean faucet aerators. Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water
4. Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water
5. Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in pipes providing water to your home, the more lead it may contain if exposed. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. If you have not used a faucet for six or more hours, flush the stagnant water out of your plumbing pipes by running the water for three to five minutes, or until it is as cold as it will get. Showering and flushing the toilet also help flush your water line
6. Use filters properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information, facts, and advice on home water filtration systems, visit EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/water-research/consumer-tool-identifying-point-use-and-pitcher-filters-certified-reduce-lead.
7. Be on the lookout for more information on OWASA’s service line replacement program. OWASA is developing a service line replacement program for our customers with galvanized service lines. We expect to share details about the program with customers with galvanized service lines in early 2025.

No. Your service line will not need to be replaced, and your water continues to be safe to drink.

Likely, no. Although not required by law, OWASA is developing a program to cover the cost of replacing galvanized service lines. We will be sharing details about this program in 2025.

Some service lines have been determined to be non-lead using predictive modeling or statistical analysis. OWASA utilized a proven and state-approved technique of physically verifying a subset of representative service lines to predict the service line material of the remaining service lines. Predictions are made by comparing your service line to nearby service lines installed around the same time that have been physically inspected

As we collect additional information, we will be updating our predictive model. We have 98% confidence in the accuracy of the current model. If you want to physically verify the material make-up of your service line, OWASA has directions here for how to do so.