Lead Service Lines in Leavenworth, KS
What you need to know
Leavenworth's water systems serve approximately 42,520 people through four public utilities. The largest is the Leavenworth Water Department, which supplies about 38,757 residents. The remaining three systems—Leavenworth County RWD 8, RWD 5C, and RWD 2—serve smaller populations in rural areas.
Lead enters drinking water primarily through lead service lines: the pipes that connect the public water main to individual homes. These lines were common in homes built before the 1980s. Lead can also leach from brass fittings and solder, though this is less common.
Lead service line inventory status
Kansas requires water utilities to identify and publicly report their lead service line inventory. Currently, the specific counts of confirmed lead lines in Leavenworth are not yet reported in available public records. This does not mean there are no lead lines—it typically means the inventory process is still ongoing or results have not been published.
The EPA's Lead and Copper Rule requires utilities to:
- Test for lead at the tap
- Identify lead service lines
- Replace them on a set schedule
- Notify customers of potential lead exposure
What this means for your home
If your house was built before 1980, there's a meaningful possibility your service line contains lead. The only way to know for certain is to have your water tested or request records from your water utility.
Your utility's inventory results—once published—will show whether a lead line has been confirmed at your address. Even if no lead line is documented, lead can still be present in older plumbing fixtures inside your home.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your water utility (Leavenworth Water Department or your local RWD) and ask about lead service line inventory for your address.
- Have your water tested for lead through a certified lab; your utility can recommend one or may offer free testing.
- Reduce exposure while waiting: use cold water for drinking and cooking, flush your tap each morning, and clean faucet screens regularly.
- Check your home's age: if built before 1980, assume older plumbing materials may be present.
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