Lead Service Lines in Mobile, Alabama
About This Water System
Mobile, Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners of the City of serves approximately 279,000 people in Alabama. The utility draws from surface water sources.
What We Know About Lead Service Lines Here
As of now, this water system has not published a public lead service line inventory—meaning the count of lead pipes connecting homes to the water main is not yet available online. This doesn't mean there are no lead service lines in Mobile; it means the utility is still in the process of identifying and documenting them.
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, all U.S. water utilities are required to create and maintain an inventory of lead service lines. The timeline and completion status varies by system. If you want to know the current status of Mobile's inventory work, contact the utility directly (see next steps below).
Why This Matters for Your Home
Lead service lines are the most common source of lead in drinking water. If your home was built before 1986—particularly before the 1970s—there's a meaningful possibility your connection to the water main contains lead.
Lead exposure, especially for children and pregnant people, can affect development and health. If you're concerned about your household's exposure, talk to your doctor or pediatrician, or visit the CDC's page on lead and health.
The good news: Lead in water can be managed. Simple steps like flushing your tap and using a certified filter can reduce your risk while you wait for long-term solutions like pipe replacement.
How to Find Out If You Have a Lead Service Line
Your water utility's lead service line inventory—once published—is your best resource. You can also:
- Call your utility and ask directly about your address
- Check property records or your home inspection report if you bought recently
- Have a licensed plumber inspect the pipe where it enters your home
Next Steps for Residents
- Contact Mobile's Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners to ask about the status of their lead service line inventory and whether your address has been assessed
- Request a copy of your service line materials if the utility has that information available
- If you're concerned about lead in your tap water, use an NSF-certified filter (look for NSF 53 certification) as a temporary measure while awaiting inventory results
- Talk to your doctor if anyone in your household—especially children under 6—may have been exposed to lead
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Mobile have lead in the water?
Lead isn't naturally present in treated water from the main. It enters through lead service lines—pipes connecting homes to the water main. Mobile's inventory of these pipes is not yet publicly available, so the full picture isn't clear. Contact the utility to ask about your specific address.
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
The best source is your water utility's lead inventory once it's published. You can also call the utility directly and ask about your address, check your home inspection report if you bought recently, or have a plumber inspect where the water line enters your home.
Is it safe to drink tap water if there might be a lead service line?
Lead risk depends on water chemistry and pipe condition. Flushing your tap before drinking (especially first thing in the morning) removes stagnant water and reduces lead. An NSF 53-certified filter provides extra protection. If health concerns exist, talk to your doctor.
When will Mobile replace lead service lines?
The utility has not yet published a replacement plan status. Contact Mobile's Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners directly to ask about their timeline and whether your address is on a replacement schedule.