Lead Service Lines in Allentown, PA

Allentown's water comes from 62 different water systems. The largest—LCA Allentown Division—serves about 118,000 residents. Together, these systems serve the city's population of roughly 215,900 people.

What we know about lead service lines here

Lead service lines are pipes that connect your home to the main water line under the street. If your line is made of lead, water can pick up lead as it travels to your tap—especially if the water is corrosive or if the line is old and deteriorating.

Most of Allentown's water systems have not yet reported the number of lead service lines in their inventories to the state. This is common: many utilities across Pennsylvania are still in the early stages of mapping their systems. The absence of reported data does not mean there are no lead lines—it usually means the work is still underway.

How to find out about your home

Your water utility maintains records of service line materials. Contact yours directly to ask:

• What material is the service line to your property?
• Has the utility completed an inventory of all service lines?
• If your line is lead or unknown material, does the utility have a testing or replacement program?

The top utilities serving Allentown are:

• LCA Allentown Division (118,000 people)
• LCA WLSA Central Division (47,700 people)
• SWT Main System (14,500 people)

You can identify your utility by searching for your address on your water bill, or by contacting the city.

If you're concerned about lead exposure

Lead in drinking water is a real health risk, especially for young children and pregnant people. If you have concerns about health effects, speak with your pediatrician or contact the CDC's lead hotline at 1-800-424-5323.

In the meantime, you can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking, and by using cold water (hot water leaches more lead).

Next steps for residents

• Contact your water utility and ask about your service line material and any lead testing/replacement programs
• Request a water test if your utility offers one, or use an EPA-certified lab (search "certified lead testing" + your area)
• Check your water bill or visit your utility's website for lead and water quality reports—these are public documents
• Explore replacement assistance: Some utilities and state/federal programs offer funding for lead line removal

```json [ { "q": "How do I know if my house has a lead service line in Allentown?", "a": "Contact your water utility and ask what material your service line is made of. You can also check your home inspection report if you have one, or hire a plumber to inspect the line where it enters your home. Lead pipes are dull gray and can be scratched with a key." }, { "q": "Is Allentown water safe to drink?", "a": "Allentown's water utilities test for contaminants and are required to provide safe drinking water. However, if you have a lead service line, lead can enter the water in your home. Your utility publishes annual water quality reports (called CCR reports) that show what they found—ask for yours." }, { "q": "What should I do if my service line is lead?", "a": "Flush your tap for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking, use cold water, and consider having your water tested by a certified lab. Long-term, ask your utility about lead line replacement programs or assistance funding. Replacement is the only permanent fix." }, { "q": "Does Pennsylvania require utilities to replace lead service lines?", "a": "Pennsylvania requires utilities to replace lead lines when they break or during main water line work, but not on a fixed schedule. Some utilities offer voluntary replacement programs