Lead Service Lines in Scottsdale, Arizona

About Scottsdale's Water System

Scottsdale City Water serves about 241,000 residents. The utility draws its primary water from surface sources. If you live or work in Scottsdale, this page answers common questions about lead service lines—the pipes that may connect your home to the main water line.

What You Need to Know Right Now

A lead service line (LSL) is a water pipe made of lead or lead-containing material. These lines can leach lead into drinking water, especially in homes with older plumbing or where water chemistry favors corrosion. Lead poses real health risks, particularly for children and pregnant people.

Scottsdale has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in the system. This means the utility is still determining which homes may have LSLs. Inventories take time—utilities must research old records, inspect neighborhoods, and sometimes dig to identify pipes.

What This Means for Your Home

If your home was built before 1986, there's a higher chance it has a lead service line or lead-containing plumbing. However, age alone isn't definitive—construction materials varied by neighborhood and builder.

Until Scottsdale completes its inventory, you won't know with certainty whether your property has an LSL unless you've already had it tested or replaced. The utility should eventually publish findings and a replacement plan, but that data isn't yet public.

How to Protect Your Family Now

Test your water. Scottsdale residents can request a free or low-cost lead test through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) or ask their water utility about testing programs.

Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Hot water leaches lead faster. Run the tap for 30 seconds before using water for these purposes if the line hasn't run recently.

Consider a filter. NSF-certified filters (look for NSF/ANSI Standard 53) can reduce lead in your tap water while you wait for system-wide information.

Contact your utility directly. Scottsdale Water Services can tell you whether your address has been inspected or if records suggest an LSL. They may also offer replacement assistance programs.

Next Steps for Residents

• Call Scottsdale Water Services to ask if your property has been flagged for a lead service line during any inspection.
• Test your tap water through a local or state program to know your actual lead level.
• Check your bill or utility website for updates on the lead inventory—Scottsdale will publish findings as the inventory progresses.
• Use cold water for drinking and cooking, and flush lines before use.

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```json [ { "q": "Does Scottsdale have lead service lines?", "a": "Scottsdale hasn't yet completed its inventory, so the full extent is unknown. However, any water system with older infrastructure may have LSLs. Once the inventory is finished, Scottsdale will publish the results." }, { "q": "How do I know if my house has a lead service line?", "a": "Contact Scottsdale Water Services directly—they can check records for your address. If your home was built before 1986, the risk is higher. A plumber or water test can also help determine if lead is present." }, { "q": "Is lead in Scottsdale water dangerous?", "a": "Lead in drinking water poses health risks, especially for young children and pregnant people. The CDC recommends testing if you're concerned. Even low levels over time can be harmful, which is why replacement and testing matter." }, { "q": "What should I do right now about lead?", "a": "Test your water, use cold tap water for drinking and cooking, and run water for 30 seconds if the line hasn't been used recently. Contact Scottsdale Water Services to ask about your property