How do I know if I have a lead service line?

Contact your water utility and ask them directly—they're required to maintain records. You can also hire a plumber to inspect your pipes. If your home was built before 1986, assume higher risk until you confirm otherwise.

Is lead in water dangerous?

Lead can be harmful over time, especially for young children and pregnant people. For specific health questions, talk to your pediatrician or the CDC website.

What should I do right now if I'm worried?

Use a water filter certified for lead removal (look for NSF Standard 53), run the tap for 30 seconds before drinking, and contact your utility to learn about your service line.

Will my water utility pay to remove a lead service line?

Some utilities offer partial funding, but it varies. Ask your water company about their lead line replacement program and what costs you'd cover.

Lead Service Lines in Burlington, KY

What you need to know

About 66,500 people in Burlington get water from three different systems. The largest is Boone County Water & Sewer District, which serves roughly 66,300 residents. The other two systems are much smaller.

Right now, no lead service lines have been confirmed in any of Burlington's water systems. That's good news. However, the data isn't complete yet—the utilities haven't finished surveying all their pipes, so there may be unknown cases.

Why this matters

A lead service line is the pipe that connects your home's water to the main line under the street. If you have one, lead can dissolve into your drinking water, especially if the water is acidic or corrosive. Exposure over time, especially for young children and pregnant people, can cause health problems.

Most homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead service lines. Homes built after the 1986 ban on lead solder are generally safer, though older fixtures and soldering can still be an issue.

What your utility should be doing

Under federal law, water systems must create an inventory of their service lines—identifying which are lead, which are galvanized (an older metal that can contain lead), and which are unknown. This work is still underway in Burlington. Boone County Water & Sewer District should publish its plan and timeline publicly.

How to find out about your home

Contact your water utility directly and ask:

Is my service line made of lead?
If you don't know, when will you have that information?
Do you have a map or records I can check?

You can also hire a plumber or water specialist to inspect your home's pipes for a cost (usually $100–300).

What to do if you have a lead service line

If you confirm you have one, the safest long-term solution is replacement—the utility may help fund this. In the meantime, you can reduce exposure by using a certified lead filter on drinking water and running water before use to flush out stagnant water sitting in pipes.

Next steps for residents

Contact your water utility (listed below) and ask about your service line status.
Look up your home's age—if built before 1986, assume higher risk until confirmed otherwise.
Use a water filter certified for lead removal while you investigate (NSF Standard 53).
Contact a pediatrician if you have questions about health risks, especially for children under 6.

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Lead service lines in Burlington, KY