COBB COUNTY Lead Service Line Inventory

About this water system

Cobb County serves approximately 695,000 people in Georgia. The system draws from surface water sources.

Lead service line inventory status

Cobb County has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in its distribution system. This means the utility does not yet have a comprehensive public record of which homes and buildings are connected to lead pipes.

Why this matters: Lead service lines are pipes made of lead that connect water mains (in the street) to individual properties. If your home was built or connected before the 1980s, there's a higher chance your service line could contain lead. Until a utility inventories its system, neither the utility nor homeowners can know the full scope of potential lead exposure in that area.

What Cobb County residents should do now

Even without a completed inventory, there are steps you can take:

Get your water tested. Contact your local health department or a certified lab to test your tap water for lead. This is the most direct way to know if lead is reaching your home, regardless of whether your service line is known to contain it.

Know your home's age. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead service lines. If your home is in that age range, assume your service line could contain lead until proven otherwise.

Use cold water for drinking and cooking. If you're concerned about lead, draw water from the cold tap only (hot water can leach more lead from pipes). Let the tap run for 30 seconds before filling a glass if the water hasn't been used for several hours.

Contact Cobb County directly. Ask the utility when they expect to complete their lead service line inventory, or whether they have any records about your specific property.

Health concerns

Lead exposure can affect brain development in young children and pose other health risks at high levels. If you have questions about health effects, contact your pediatrician or the CDC's lead information line.

Next steps for residents

• Request a lead test of your tap water from a certified lab or your local health department.
• Call Cobb County to ask about the timeline for completing their lead service line inventory.
• If you have a young child, discuss water safety with your pediatrician.
• In the meantime, use cold tap water for drinking and cooking, and let water run briefly before use if it's been standing for hours.

```json [ { "q": "How do I know if my house has a lead service line?", "a": "The best way is to have your water tested by a certified lab, which reveals if lead is actually reaching your tap. You can also contact Cobb County directly and ask for records about your property's service line, though the system is still building its inventory. Homes built before 1986 are at higher risk." }, { "q": "Is lead in tap water dangerous?", "a": "Lead exposure over time can affect children's brain development and cause other health problems. The EPA has set 15 ppb (parts per billion) as the action level for utilities, but some experts recommend the lowest level possible. For specific health concerns, talk to your pediatrician or contact the CDC." }, { "q": "What should I do if my water tests positive for lead?", "a": "Use a certified lead-removing filter (NSF Standard 53) on your drinking and cooking water, run water for 30 seconds before use, and contact Cobb County to report the result. Ask your pediatrician about health steps if you have young children. The utility should also follow up on your results." }, { "q": "When will Cobb County finish their lead inventory?", "a": "That information is not yet publicly available. Contact Cobb County directly—they can tell you their timeline and may have records about your specific property even if the full inventory is incomplete."