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.
- water.phila.gov/lead-updates
- Text PWD LEAD to 468-311
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:
- Turn on the cold water at a kitchen sink. Open the cold water, all the way.
- Run water from the faucet for 3–5 minutes.
Watch this video to learn how and why to flush your pipes:
3. Get your water tested
PWD will conduct free water quality tests for customers with concerns about lead or water quality in their homes.
Requests will be handled according to our capacity. Please understand if there is a high demand, it may increase the wait times for our response.
Call (215) 685 6300 to let us know you are interested in a tap water test.
You can also request a test from an accredited lab.
4. 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.
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.