Lead Service Lines in Waterford, MI
Waterford is served by 33 water systems that collectively provide water to about 179,930 people. Whether lead service lines are present in your area depends on which utility serves your home—and most utilities in the region have not yet publicly reported their lead service line inventories.
What we know about Waterford's water systems
The five largest utilities serving Waterford are:
- Waterford Township (73,441 people): No publicly reported lead service line data
- Pontiac (63,776 people): No publicly reported lead service line data
- Oxford Township (10,407 people): No publicly reported lead service line data
- Walled Lake, City of (5,260 people): No publicly reported lead service line data
- Southwest Oakland Township (4,943 people): No publicly reported lead service line data
The "no data" status doesn't mean your home is lead-free. It means the utility either hasn't completed its inventory yet, hasn't made results public, or both. Federal rules require all water systems to complete lead service line inventories by October 2024, so expect updates in the coming months.
Why this matters
A lead service line—the pipe that connects the water main under the street to your home—can leach lead into drinking water, especially in homes built before the 1980s. Lead exposure, particularly for children, carries real health risks. The good news: lead in water is preventable through simple steps.
Finding out if you have a lead service line
Start by contacting your water utility directly. Ask them:
- Do I have a lead service line?
- Has your inventory been completed?
- Do you have lead in your water?
Your utility should be able to tell you based on your address, your home's age, or previous water tests. If they say the inventory is incomplete, ask when results will be available.
If you're concerned about lead in your water
A home water test is the only way to know if lead is actually present. Test kits are inexpensive (under $50) and available through hardware stores or your utility. For health questions—especially if you have young children—contact your doctor or the CDC at cdc.gov/lead.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your water utility and ask if a lead service line serves your home
- Request their lead service line inventory status and timeline
- If your home was built before 1980, consider a water test
- For health concerns, speak with your pediatrician or doctor