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A service line is the pipe that connects a home to the water main, and EPA says lead service lines are usually the biggest source of lead in drinking water in homes that have them. Water systems were required to start submitting service line inventories on October 16, 2024, so for many addresses you can now look up what a utility has recorded. This guide uses EPA’s pages on lead in drinking water (last updated June 18, 2026) and the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements Q&A (last updated March 11, 2026), along with the City of Richmond’s 2025 water quality report and Chesterfield County’s water quality page.
Where lead in tap water comes from
According to EPA, lead gets into drinking water when plumbing that contains lead corrodes, especially in water that is acidic or low in minerals. Lead service lines are more common in older cities and in homes built before 1986. In homes without a lead service line, the main sources are brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and plumbing joined with lead solder. EPA says corrosion depends on water chemistry and temperature, pipe wear, how long water sits in the pipes and whether protective coatings are present. Federal law lowered the allowed lead content of pipes, fittings and solder in 2011.
EPA’s health goal for lead in drinking water is zero, because no safe level of exposure is known. Children, infants and fetuses are the most vulnerable, and EPA lists effects in children that include learning and behavior problems and lower IQ. For adults it lists effects such as higher blood pressure and reduced kidney function. EPA also says bathing and showering are considered safe, since skin does not absorb lead from water.
What the inventory is and what systems must do
EPA’s Q&A says water systems must create an inventory listing the material and location of service lines and connectors in their service area, that the inventory must be publicly accessible, and that systems must keep updating it and identify all unknown service lines by the replacement deadline. Systems must also notify people served by a lead service line, by a galvanized line that may have been contaminated by lead, or by a line whose material is unknown. Some requirements of the 2021 rule already applied beginning October 16, 2024, including submitting the initial inventory and notifying people of known or potential lead service lines.
On replacement, EPA says systems must replace lead service lines and certain galvanized lines they control, most within 10 years or less, with a small number of systems possibly receiving more time. The page expects the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements compliance date to arrive in late 2027, and says systems continue to follow the current rule until then. Rules and deadlines change, so confirm current requirements with the utility.
What the City of Richmond says
Richmond’s 2025 report says water systems were required to inventory service line materials by October 16, 2024, and that the city has a lead service line inventory map at rva.gov/public-utilities/leadfreewater. It says the city is responsible for removing lead pipes in its system, while homeowners share responsibility for lead in home plumbing, and it lists steps to reduce exposure, including flushing taps for several minutes before drinking and using an ANSI-accredited certified filter. For questions about water quality and lead testing, the report lists 804-646-8701. See our city of Richmond community guide for neighborhoods to explore.
What Chesterfield County says
Chesterfield’s page says the county’s distribution system has no lead mains or lead service lines and that it has inventoried all water service lines, public and private portions, in response to the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revision. Residents can check the inventory and identify their own service line material through the county’s Water Service Line Inventory page or its self-identification survey. The page adds that because lead is colorless and tasteless, the only way to know whether your water contains it is a test by a certified lab. Browse Chesterfield County and Midlothian.
How to check a specific address
Start with the utility that serves the home. Ask where the inventory is posted, whether the address is listed as lead, galvanized requiring replacement, non-lead or unknown, and who owns each portion of the line. EPA’s Protect Your Tap guide, last updated May 7, 2026, says you can identify a service line material with a penny or key and a magnet, and it explains how to test water at a certified laboratory. The guide gives a testing cost of about $15 to $100 and says some states and utilities offer programs that pay for testing or replacement. If a home you are considering has an unknown service line, ask the utility how to resolve it.
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What this does and does not tell you
An inventory entry is a record, not a lab result. A line listed as non-lead tells you about the pipe material, not about faucets or solder inside the house, and a line listed as unknown means the utility has not confirmed the material. Likewise, a line listed as lead tells you where to focus, but it is not a measurement of what is in the water at the tap. That is why EPA pairs the inventory with testing, flushing and certified filters. Treat the inventory as one input, alongside the home’s age, the inspection report and any test you choose to run.
If you find something concerning, talk with the utility and your health care provider, and ask your agent how it affects your contract timeline.
Where this fits in your purchase
A water test or service line question is a good fit for the inspection period, when you can still ask for information or negotiate. Read how repair negotiations work after a Richmond home inspection and our guide to old plumbing in Richmond-area homes. Some items are outside a standard inspection, so see what a Richmond home inspector will not cover. If a home was built before 1986, ask about the service line and the interior plumbing early in your search. For lead-based paint, which is a separate issue in older homes, see our guide to selling a pre-1978 Richmond home and lead paint disclosure.
If you are selling an older home
Buyers increasingly ask about water, so gather what you know. Find out whether your utility lists your service line material, keep any test results and receipts for plumbing work, and tell your agent about any filters or replaced pipes. Accurate information helps buyers ask better questions and avoids surprises late in the contract period. Your agent can tell you what must be disclosed in a Virginia sale; this article is general information, not legal advice.
If you rent out the home or buy one to rent
The same questions apply. Ask the utility about the service line, keep records of testing, and respond promptly if a tenant asks about water quality. EPA recommends contacting your utility or local health department with health concerns, and EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline is 1-800-426-4791.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a service line?
It is the pipe that connects a home to the water main. EPA says lead service lines are usually the biggest source of lead in drinking water in homes that have them.
Which homes are more likely to have lead service lines?
EPA says lead service lines are more common in older cities and in homes built before 1986.
What is a service line inventory?
EPA says water systems must list the material and location of service lines in their service area, make the inventory publicly accessible and keep it updated. The initial inventory requirement applied beginning October 16, 2024.
Does Chesterfield County have lead service lines?
Chesterfield’s page says its distribution system has no lead mains or lead service lines and that it has inventoried all water service lines. It offers a self-identification survey for residents.
How can I find out if my service line is lead?
Ask your utility for the inventory listing for the address. EPA’s Protect Your Tap guide says a penny or key and a magnet can help identify the line material, and a certified laboratory test is the only way to confirm lead in your water.
How much does a lead water test cost?
EPA’s guide, last updated May 7, 2026, says testing costs about $15 to $100.
Is it safe to bathe in water that contains lead?
EPA says bathing and showering are considered safe because skin does not absorb lead from water. Consult your health care provider or local health department about specific health questions.
