Unknown Service Lines

Hundreds of thousands of properties in Philadelphia have an unknown section of buried service line.

What to do if you service line is categorized as ‘Unknown’

If the overall category for your line is “unknown”, you should act as though it may contain lead.

This guidance is a precaution for your health and safety.

1. Be informed

Even if a service line contains lead, it doesn’t mean the property’s water contains high levels of lead. Philadelphia treats drinking water to reduce risks of lead corrosion from a property’s plumbing.

Join our email list for residents who have or suspect a lead service line. We are working on new ways to share information about lead service line locations in Philadelphia.

Sign up for our latest updates and resources about lead, delivered right to your inbox.

2. Begin flushing your pipes. Do it every day.

“Flushing” means running fast, cold water from a tap. It’s the simplest way to get rid of water that has been sitting in pipes. It’s a proven way to reduce the risks associated with lead plumbing.  

If you haven’t used water for 6 hours or more, you should flush your pipes. For most people, this is first thing in the morning when you wake up, or when you come home after school or work.

Instructions:

  1. Turn on the cold water at a kitchen sink. Open the cold water, all the way.  
  2. Run water from the faucet for 3–5 minutes.
Watch this video to learn how and why to flush your pipes:

Good to know:

Flushing your pipes every day costs only pennies!   

3. Help us update our records

If your service line has been replaced, send us records from your plumber that show what material it is made of.

Report your service line material

If your service material is unknown at the meter, you can check for lead yourself.

Learn how to check your service line material at the meter →

If it you do have a lead service line, you can replace it!

You can have a lead service line replaced, and PWD will help!

If you don’t want to contact a plumber directly, apply for our Homeowners Emergency Loan Program (HELP).

A zero-interest loan can cover the cost of replacement.

Learn more & apply: water.phila.gov/help

Questions?

Contact: ServceLineMap@phila.gov or (215) 683‑6300.

Report your service line material

Please include a photo of your service line at the meter, or a plumber’s report detailing the service line has been replaced.

File name:

File size:

Please enter the material of the “service pipe” or portion of the service line nearest the street.

Please enter the material of the “supply pipe” or portion of the service line nearest the building.

Please upload a plumber’s report detailing the service line has been replaced, or other record indicating the material(s) of your service line.

File name:

File size:

If you have another file to include, upload it here.

File name:

File size:

Anything else we should know?

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