Lead Service Lines in Foley, Alabama
The Utilities Board of the City of Foley serves about 50,900 people in Baldwin County. Like many water systems across the US, Foley relies on groundwater and may have lead service lines—the pipes that connect the main water line under the street to homes built before lead was phased out in 1986.
What we know about Foley's lead service lines
The city has not yet completed a full inventory of its lead service lines. This means there's no public count yet of how many homes might have these pipes. That inventory work is required under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and Foley is working toward completing it.
An inventory is the first step: the utility maps which service lines are lead, galvanized (which can corrode and release lead), or safe materials like copper or plastic. Until that work is done, there's no way to know which neighborhoods or individual addresses are affected.
Your home may have a lead service line if:
- It was built before 1986
- You live in an older part of Foley
- Your water pipes are gray or dull silver (copper is shiny and red-brown; plastic is white or dark gray)
The only way to know for certain is to have a licensed plumber inspect, or to contact Foley's water utility directly and ask about the service line material to your address.
What you can do now
Even without a full city inventory, you can take steps to protect your family:
- Test your water. A simple water test costs $20–$40 and tells you if lead is present in your home's tap water right now. Contact your local health department or check the EPA's testing resource list.
- Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Hot water leaches more lead from pipes. Let cold water run for 30 seconds before filling a glass (longer if no one has used that tap in 6+ hours).
- Ask your utility. Contact the Utilities Board of the City of Foley directly and ask whether your address has a lead service line. They may have records even if the full inventory isn't public yet.
Next steps for residents
- Contact the Utilities Board of the City of Foley to ask about your service line material
- Have your water tested by a certified lab
- If you have young children, talk to your pediatrician about lead exposure risk
- Check back for updates as the city's lead service line inventory is completed
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Foley have lead in the water?
Lead in tap water depends on your home's pipes, not just the city's water source. Foley is still mapping which homes have lead service lines. A water test is the most accurate way to know if lead is in your tap water right now.
How many homes in Foley have lead service lines?
The city has not yet released a public count. An inventory is underway, which is required by federal law. You can contact the utility to ask about your specific address.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Foley?
Foley's water treatment meets federal safety standards. However, if your home has an old lead service line, lead can enter water as it travels through your pipes. A water test will tell you if lead is present in your tap water.
How much does it cost to replace a lead service line?
Costs vary widely depending on street conditions and depth, typically $3,000–$10,000 per line. Ask your utility about rebate or cost-sharing programs that may be available through recent federal funding.