Do You Have a Lead Service Line?

Did the interactive map say Lead Status Unknown – Needs Verification on your property? Please follow the instructions below.

Metropolitan Utilities District (M.U.D.) would like your help to identify if you have lead, galvanized steel or copper service lines in your home. Galvanized steel service lines may be lead lined or have goosenecks that are made of lead material. Services that contain lead materials pose known health risks.

M.U.D. is currently reviewing service lines in our community. We are trying to identify – through records and with our customers’ help – the type of material in their water service lines.

M.U.D. needs your help in confirming our records. Please perform steps 1-7 listed below.

Material Verification Test

To find out if you have a copper, lead or galvanized steel service on your property, you (or your landlord) can perform a material verification test on the water service line where it connects to the water meter to determine the material of the water service line on your property.

Tools: You will need a key or coin and a magnet.

Steps to test your water service line material:

  1. Find the water meter on your property.
  2. Look for the pipe that comes through the outside wall of your home and connects to your meter.
  3. Use a key or coin to gently scratch the pipe. If the pipe is painted, use sandpaper to expose the metal first.
  4. Place the magnet on the pipe to see if it sticks to the pipe.
  5. Determine your pipe material by referencing the pictures below.
  6. Take pictures of your line.
  7. Attach your pictures and provide pertinent information, including your address, in an email to [email protected].

  • If your pipe is:

    COPPER: The pipe may appear dull brown on the outside but will be the color of a bright penny if gently scratched.

    A magnet WILL NOT stick to a copper pipe.

     

     

    LEAD: The pipe will appear dull and soft but will turn a shiny silver color when scratched.

    A magnet WILL NOT stick to a lead pipe.

     

     

     

    GALVANIZED STEEL: The scratched area will remain a dull gray.

    A magnet WILL stick to the surface.

  • Copper line

    Lead Pipe

    Galvanized Steel Pipe

Other Ways to Check for Lead

If your home was built before 1986, lead may also be present in indoor piping, solder and fixtures. Here are some other ways you can check for lead:

  • Water sample test kits can be requested by emailing [email protected] or calling 402.504.7029. M.U.D. will coordinate a time to take a sample of your home’s water and send to a lab for testing at no charge to you.
  • A licensed and insured plumber can inspect your pipes and other plumbing for lead or steel. Replacing an older brass faucet or valve may be a simple way to reduce the lead in water.

If you have any questions, please call 402.504.7029 between 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, or email us at [email protected].

To find more information on reducing exposure to lead in drinking water, visit mudomaha.com/lead.