TEMPE CITY OF Water System: Lead Service Line Information

Tempe City of serves approximately 165,000 residents in Arizona. Like all US water systems, it is required by federal law to inventory lead service lines—the pipes that connect water mains to individual homes—and make that information public.

What we know about lead pipes in Tempe

As of now, Tempe City of has not yet completed a full lead service line inventory, or the results are not yet publicly available. This does not mean your home is safe or unsafe; it means the utility is still in the process of documenting which lines contain lead.

Lead service lines are a real concern: if present and corrosion is not controlled, they can leach lead into drinking water. Lead exposure is a serious health issue, especially for children and pregnant people. However, having a lead service line does not automatically mean your water contains unsafe lead levels—much depends on water chemistry, age of pipes, and whether the utility treats water to reduce corrosion.

What Tempe residents should do now

Find out if your home has a lead service line:

Contact Tempe City of directly and ask about your property's service line material. The utility may have records based on installation date, material type codes, or previous testing. Provide your address.

Test your water if you're concerned:

You can request a free or low-cost lead test through your water utility or a local health department. The EPA recommends testing if your home was built before 1986 or if you have young children or pregnant household members.

Reduce exposure while you wait:

• Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking if the line has been unused for several hours.
• Use cold water for drinking and cooking (hot water leaches lead faster).
• Consider a certified water filter if test results show elevated lead.

What Tempe is required to do

All water systems must complete lead service line inventories and share results with the public by specific deadlines. Tempe City of is legally required to pursue replacement of lead lines and must provide a plan and funding strategy to residents.

Next steps for residents

• Contact your water utility at (480) 350-8000 to ask about your service line and request water testing if you're concerned.
• Review CDC guidance at cdc.gov/nceh/lead for health information and steps to reduce exposure.
• Request updates on Tempe's lead service line inventory and replacement plan.
• Document your property records if you've had plumbing work done; contractors sometimes know what materials are underground.

```json [ { "q": "Does Tempe have lead pipes in the water system?", "a": "Tempe City of is still completing its lead service line inventory. An incomplete or unavailable inventory doesn't mean there are no lead pipes—it means the utility hasn't yet finished documenting all service line materials. Contact the utility for information about your specific address." }, { "q": "Is it safe to drink water from a lead service line?", "a": "It depends. A lead service line may or may not release unsafe levels of lead into water, based on the water's chemistry and age of the pipe. The only way to know is to test your water. Contact your utility about free or low-cost testing." }, { "q": "What should I do if my house has a lead service line?", "a": "Use cold water for drinking and cooking, run the tap for 30 seconds if water has sat unused, and consider a certified water filter. Replacement is the permanent fix; ask your utility about replacement programs and funding." }, { "q": "How long does it take to replace a lead service line?", "a": "Replacement typically takes 1–2 days per home, though timelines depend on the utility's budget, crew size, and the number of lines in queue. Ask Tempe City of for its replacement plan and timeline."