The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) serves the Greater Philadelphia region by providing integrated water, wastewater and stormwater services.
Residents who request home water testing for lead can let us know when you have your bottles filled and ready to go using the form below. We will contact you to let you know when we have someone available to pick it up to bring to our lab for analysis!
The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) offers free lead and copper tests to customers who are interested. We keep water safe to drink. We treat drinking water to reduce corrosion. (Corrosion can allow small amounts of lead from plumbing to dissolve into water.) We know this treatment works because we routinely test for lead at customer […]
General Service Line Background Incomplete Records (previously called “Unknown”) Lead Service Lines Flushing Service Line Map and Notifications What PWD is doing about lead in water Any more questions? Email us at ServiceLineMap@phila.gov or call (215) 685-6300.
The Philadelphia Water Department works around the clock to make sure that safe, high-quality drinking water is always on tap. Providing a safe and abundant supply of water is our commitment to all of our customers, both large and small. Tap You Can Trust Sign up for updates about Water Quality in Philadelphia We treat […]
The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) invites residents to two virtual events informing the public about drinking water quality and service line materials, including lead plumbing. The info sessions will help residents better understand letters that were mailed to all PWD customers in November 2024 and 2025. These mandatory notifications provided information about customer-owned service line […]
If your service line is categorized as “non-lead”, it is likely made of plastic or copper. These materials are commonly used because they do not contain lead. Materials can include: Plastic Plastic is typically a less expensive option. Plastic service lines are not associated with increased risk of lead. Copper Copper is used in most service […]
Hundreds of thousands of properties in Philadelphia have a section of buried service line with no material record. Many service lines in Philadelphia are categorized as Incomplete Records if we have partial or no records for the service line materials. Service lines categorized as “Incomplete Records” and sections indicating “No record” were previously called “Unknown”. […]
Lead was used in the past because it is soft and can be bent. Lead service line installation decreased after the 1950s as harmful health effects became clear. What to do if your service line is categorized as ‘Lead’ If your service line is categorized as lead, here’s what to do: Questions? Contact: ServceLineMap@phila.gov or (215) 683‑6300.
Galvanized steel pipes can corrode. Over decades, any lead from a property’s plumbing can accumulate on the corroded walls of galvanized pipes. What to do if you service line is categorized as ‘Galvanized’ If your overall service line material is classified as “Galvanized” you should act as though it may contain lead: Questions? Contact: ServiceLineMap@phila.gov […]
Philadelphia has never had water mains made of lead, but the service line bringing water from the main to your property may contain lead. You can check the portion of your service line that enters your property at your water meter. Buried sections of service lines may contain different materials, if one portion was replaced. Find […]