Lead Service Lines in Arlington, VA
Arlington's water is delivered by five public water systems, serving about 216,855 people. The largest by far is Arlington County, which provides water to roughly 215,000 residents across the county.
What we know about lead service lines in Arlington
Lead service lines are pipes that connect water mains under the street to homes. If your service line is made of lead, water can pick up lead as it travels to your house—especially if the water is acidic or sits in pipes for hours.
Arlington County and the four smaller systems serving the area have not reported any known lead service lines in their current inventories. They also have not identified galvanized steel pipes (which can leach lead if corroded) or listed pipes of unknown material.
This doesn't mean there are zero lead lines. It means either:
- The utility has completed a full inspection and found none, or
- Inspections are still underway or incomplete, or
- Records from older installations are unclear.
Virginia requires water utilities to inventory their service lines and report findings to the state. You can ask your water provider directly about the status of their inventory work.
How to find out about your specific service line
The only way to know for certain if your service line is lead is to contact your water provider or have it inspected. Here's what to do:
1. Call Arlington County Water Utilities (if you live in the main service area) or identify which of the five systems serves your address. 2. Ask for your service line material. They may have records going back decades, or they may need to send someone to look at the pipe where it enters your property. 3. If it is lead, the utility can advise you on flushing routines, point-of-use filters, or replacement options.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your water utility and ask about the material of your service line
- Visit the EPA's lead in drinking water page for information on testing and filters
- If you have young children or are pregnant, consult your pediatrician or doctor about lead exposure risk
- Request a copy of your utility's most recent lead service line inventory report