Home - Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
What Our Customers Need to Know:
Under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), utilities must create an inventory of all the drinking water service lines in their system. The City of Houston (City) is doing an inventory of water service lines in all of its six water distribution systems. This inventory will identify the material of your water service line, including if it is made of lead.
What is a Water Service Line?
Water service lines are small pipes that carry water from the City of Houston's water mains, located in the streets, to individual homes and buildings. Water service lines can be made of plastic, brass, copper, cast iron, ductile iron, lead, or galvanized steel. Federal law banned lead water service lines in the late 1980s, so homes built after 1989 should not have lead service lines.
Who Owns the Water Service Line?
The City owns the water service line from the main in the street to the water meter, typically at the edge of the property line. The property owner owns the water service line from the water meter to where it enters the building and connects with the building’s internal plumbing.
Customers are highly encouraged to check and self-report their service line materials. Please view our Inventory Map and see if the City has information for your home/building. If the material is listed as unknown, please follow the steps on the web page to self-report your water service line material with photos. Customers are highly encouraged to self-report, although this is not mandatory.
More Information
Home - Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
Water Service Line Inspections
Report Your Water Service Line Material
Health Effects of Lead
Test Holing for Material Verification
Water Service Line Material Letters
School and Childcare Sampling
FAQs and Additional Resources
For information or inquiries email:
- 311 (713) 837-0311
- 311@houstontx.gov
