Working with our partner ERM to survey and identify our service lines.
Lead - Pennsylvania
At Aqua Pennsylvania, our mission is to provide clean, safe water. While our water meets all regulatory standards, drinking water can be contaminated when flowing through service lines (the pipes that deliver water from water mains in the street and into homes) that are lead or galvanized.
We're actively identifying and replacing lead and galvanized service lines across Pennsylvania at no direct cost to customers. This work is being done in phases. See below for current locations (Aqua's Major Projects Currently Underway).
Aqua already treats drinking water to prevent leaching of lead into the water, but replacing these aging pipes is an extra step in reducing the risk for customers.
To learn more about lead sources and health impacts, click here.
You can view lead testing results in your local Water Quality Report, found here.
Service Line Inventorying
Many customers are surprised to learn that Aqua may not know the exact material of the water service line at their property. This is a common question, and the reason is largely due to how water systems were built and recorded in the past.
Much of the underground water infrastructure in our service areas was installed decades ago, often long before modern record keeping standards existed. At the time, utilities were not required to document the specific materials used for each individual service line, and paper records, when they existed, were often incomplete, inconsistent, or lost over time. In addition, service lines may have been repaired, replaced, or partially replaced by property owners without notice to the water utility.
Recent regulations now require water utilities to develop accurate inventories of service line materials. This is why Aqua is actively working to identify and confirm what materials are present, sometimes in partnership with customers.
Customer-Owned Service Lines
We need your help in identifying your service line material
The water service line is the pipe that connects your home to the public water main. The customer owned portion of the service line is visible where it enters the home near the water meter. If additional information is needed, Aqua may contact you to help self‑identify your service line material or to schedule an inspection with one of our trained technicians or approved contractors. Property owners are typically responsible for maintaining and replacing this line. While replacing a service line typically costs thousands of dollars, there's good news.
If your service line is found to be made of lead or galvanized steel, Aqua will replace it at no direct cost to you as part of our commitment to safe, clean drinking water.
How to Identify Your Service Line Material
To find out if your service line material has already been identified, click here to visit our new customer service line material map.
If our map shows the customer service line material as “unknown,” you can watch this short, informational video explaining how you can help us identify your customer service line material.
Lead Service Line Replacement
Aqua Pennsylvania is committed to identifying and replacing lead and galvanized service lines at no direct cost to you as part of our ongoing efforts to protect public health and comply with updated regulations.
Before any work begins, Aqua or its approved contractors will coordinate directly with the property owner to explain the process, receive consent, and schedule the replacement. Water service will be temporarily stopped and restored the same day. Trenchless installation methods are used to minimize impacts to sidewalks, driveways, lawns, and landscaping. Any disturbed areas will be restored after the work is completed.
Replacements are being completed in locational phases to maximize efficiency.
What Aqua Will Do
At no direct cost to the home owner, Aqua will:
- Identify the material type of your service line.
- Provide sampling bottles and instructions and test your water for lead.
- Enter into an agreement to replace your portion of the service line.
- Replace your service line and provide pitcher filters to protect against lead for six months after disturbance.
- Restore your property as reasonably as practicable.
- Dedicate the new service line back to you, at which time you will reassume responsibility.
- Provide a warranty on the work completed.
Who is Performing the Work?
Contractors are performing survey work on behalf of Aqua. Our regular contractors include ERM, Itron and Keystone, but in some cases, local contractors may also be working in your area. Customers are encouraged to ask to see identification if concerned. Customers can also call 1.866.SLM.AQUA (1.866.756.2782) with any questions or concerns about the legitimacy of workers claiming to represent Aqua.
See Aqua's Major Projects Currently Underway
- Current Replacement Projects: Sayre Borough, Bristol Township, Upper Darby and Hatboro
- Current Survey Projects: Beech Mountain Lakes, Chinchilla, Clarendon, Crawford, Eagle Rock, East Lansdowne, Elmbrook, Emlenton, Factoryville, Friendship, Honesdale, Honeybrook, Jefferson Heights, Lake Latonka, Lansdowne, Midway Manor, Milbourne, Mt. Jewett, Oneida, Perkiomen Township, Sand Springs, Spring Run, Tanglewood Lakes, Tanglewood North, Thornhurst Country Club, Treasure Lake, Upper Darby, White Haven and Yeadon.
*Smaller projects may be occurring in other areas not listed above. If you have any question, please call 1-866-SLM-AQUA (1-866-756-2782).
Is My Water Safe to Drink?
My pipe has been identified as lead or galvanized. Is it safe to drink while I wait for a replacement? What may I expect as part of the pipe replacement?
Results of our laboratory testing program show our drinking water meets the current requirements through careful water treatment which minimizes the potential for corrosion of lead and copper into our customer’s drinking water. Even so, it is in the best interest of our customers to further mitigate risk by replacing these service lines with more modern materials.
Prior to the replacement, Aqua will provide customers with a kit which includes a water filter (pitcher or tap filter) approved by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and six months of replacement filters. We will provide instructions on using the water sampling materials. We will request to sample your water between 3 and 6 months after replacement of the service line.
When Will My Service Line Be Replaced?
If my service line is lead or galvanized, when will it be replaced?
Aqua Pennsylvania is planning to systematically replace all identified lead and galvanized service lines. We will reach out when we are performing replacements in your area.
Will My Service Be Interrupted?
Water service will be temporarily stopped and restored the same day.
Since this work is focused on customer-owned service lines, only the properties identified for replacement will be impacted. We do not anticipate any other water service interruptions. Those properties identified for service line replacement will be asked to schedule a date for the work to occur. In certain cases, excavation will be necessary on sidewalks used by the public. Aqua will repair those areas after completion of the pipe replacement.
Will There Be Any Work On My Property?
Only the properties identified for customer-owned service line replacement will be impacted. For those property owners, the service lines will be replaced at no direct cost by a contracted plumber. The plumber will coordinate with the property owner to schedule the replacement.
Aqua PA Lead Service Line Replacement Program
Lead Service Line Replacement Program Information Sheet
Aqua PA Lead Service Line Replacement Program translated documents: