In 1991, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) to control the amount of lead and copper in public drinking water. Since 1991 the LCR has undergone various revisions. The most recent revisions to this rule (the 2021 LCRR) required utilities to compile an initial inventory of public and private service line materials by October 2024, which the City of Savannah Utility Department (SUD) has done. The LCRR also requires utilities to notify customers of the potential risk of lead exposure if their service lines are determined to be lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or lead status unknown.
Currently, SUD has not identified any lead pipes in utility-owned service lines, which is the portion of each service line running from the water main to the water meter. However, SUD does not have enough information to classify most private service lines, which is the portion that runs from the meter to the internal plumbing. If the material of a service line is unknown, there is a possibility that it may be made of lead or galvanized pipe. Customers with unknown service line materials will receive a Potential Lead Exposure Risk Notification by mail. The notification will provide information on the sources of lead exposure, the health effects, and ways to reduce exposure.
Contact information for local water testing services will also be provided.
Although it is not mandatory, customers with unknown water service line materials are highly encouraged to investigate and self-report to help SUD identify their water service line materials.
Search for your address using this map to view your water service line status, then click the link in the popup to submit a self-reporting form.
The customer side of your water service line includes the length of pipe between the water meter and the building where water service is installed.
Use the following tips to identify your service line material:
- Galvanized Steel: gray or silver with threads at connections; a magnet will stick to the pipe.
- Copper: when scratched with a metal object, it will be the same color as a penny; a magnet will not stick.
- Brass: when scratched with a metal object it will appear gold with threads at connections; a magnet will not stick.
- Plastic: white, black, red, or blue and non-metallic; a magnet will not stick.
- Lead: soft gray or silver material; easily scratched and will appear shiny silver.