Water Service Line Inventory

A water service line is a small diameter pipe that carries water into your home or business from the City’s larger diameter water main.  The City owns the portion of the service line from the water main to the customer’s property line, usually accompanied by a water meter.  The customer owns the water service line from the property line to their internal plumbing.   

Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups.  Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span.  Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems.  The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects.  Adults can have increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.

• Use your filter properly.  Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, make sure you use a filter certified to remove lead. Read the directions to learn how to properly install and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter.
• Clean your aerator. Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
• Use cold water. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby formula. Remember, boiling water does not remove lead from water.
• Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, and the length of the lead service line. Residents should contact their water utility for recommendations about flushing times in their community.

Visit the EPA website for more information. 

The EPA’s online guide will assist you with identifying lead pipes. https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/protect-your-tap-quick-check-lead-0

• Step 1:  Hire a Florida Licensed plumber to help determine the customer side water service line material.
• Step 2: Find your water meter.  It is usually located near the property line. The water meter is City-owned and maintained, do not enter or work in the water meter box or between the meter box and the street.
• Step 3: Find where your service line enters your home. Walk the shortest path from your water meter to your home; this is likely where the pipe will enter your home.
• Step 4: Warning, striking a water service line while digging can result in damage to the service line causing failure and leaks. Test the material of the pipe by scratching it with a key or coin to reveal its color; hold a strong magnet to the pipe to see if it sticks and take several well-lit photos to capture the results of the test.
• Step 5: Compare your results to one of these options:
  • Plastic - the material is white, red, blue or black, and a magnet does not stick.
  • Copper - the material is the color of a penny (dull brown or greenish) and a magnet does not stick.
  • Galvanized steel - the material is dull gray and a magnet sticks to it.
  • Lead - the material is gray, shines brightly, is easily scraped and a magnet does NOT stick to it.
• Step 6: Notify the City of the results:
  • Complete the online customer survey.
  • Call the Utilities & PW Department at 904-825-1040 ext. 6.

Visit the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule website.