Many American cities have been excavating water mains, revealing lead pipes and leaving them there. The work’s disruption of the pipe can also spike lead levels, an investigation by The Associated Press has found.
How do the owners know if they have lead pipe though? I have no idea about my home. I’m guessing not since it was built in the 80s, but I would have to dig it up to find out.
In my city the water works has a database of houses with lead laterals. I don’t think it’s 100% accurate but it’s pretty close.
Failing that, you can go to your basement and inspect the lateral itself. Lead is not very hard to identify if you can see and touch any part of the service line.
How do the owners know if they have lead pipe though? I have no idea about my home. I’m guessing not since it was built in the 80s, but I would have to dig it up to find out.
Age of home would be a good indication. Otherwise, you’d have to find the service line, and inspect it. You can google how.
In my city the water works has a database of houses with lead laterals. I don’t think it’s 100% accurate but it’s pretty close.
Failing that, you can go to your basement and inspect the lateral itself. Lead is not very hard to identify if you can see and touch any part of the service line.
https://www.nrdc.org/bio/erik-d-olson/how-can-i-find-out-if-i-have-lead-service-line