Lead Service Lines in ISU's Water System
What you need to know
ISU serves about 42,000 people in Iowa. Like many water systems across the US, ISU may have lead service lines—the pipes that connect your home to the main water line underground. These lines were commonly installed before the 1980s.
The current status: ISU has not yet completed a public inventory of its lead service lines. This means the utility doesn't have detailed counts of how many lines contain lead, and this information isn't yet available to residents online.
Why this matters
Lead service lines are the most common source of lead in drinking water. If your home was built before the 1990s, there's a possibility your service line contains lead. Even low levels of lead exposure can affect children's development and learning, which is why knowing your status matters.
The good news: lead in water is preventable. Treatment and replacement options exist, and federal funding is now available to help cover the cost of replacing lead service lines.
What ISU is doing
Water systems are required under federal law to develop and maintain an inventory of their lead service lines. ISU is working to meet this requirement, though the timeline for completion varies by utility. Once the inventory is complete, ISU will make this information available to the public—usually through the utility's website or by request.
Check your home
In the meantime, you can take steps to learn about your own service line:
- Contact ISU directly. Call or visit their website to ask about your specific address. The utility may have older records or field information, even if a full public inventory isn't ready yet.
- Know your home's age. Homes built before 1980 are at higher risk.
- Consider a water test. A simple test can tell you if lead is present in your tap water right now.
If lead is detected, a licensed plumber can help you understand your options—from flushing protocols to full line replacement.
Next steps for residents
- Contact ISU directly to ask about the lead service line status at your address
- Request information about when the water system's lead inventory will be publicly available
- If concerned about lead, ask your utility about free or low-cost testing options
- Visit the CDC's lead in water page for health guidance and prevention tips
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
Contact ISU and ask about your address—the utility may have records. Your home's age also matters: lines installed before 1980 are more likely to contain lead. A water test can tell you if lead is currently in your tap water.
Is lead in water dangerous for kids?
Lead exposure can affect children's brain development and learning. For health guidance specific to your situation, contact your pediatrician or the CDC.
What should I do if I think my service line has lead?
Start by testing your water. If lead is found, talk to ISU about treatment options (like flushing or filters) while you explore replacement. Federal funding is now available to help pay for replacing lead service lines in many communities.
When will ISU finish its lead service line inventory?
Contact ISU directly to ask about their timeline. Once complete, the inventory will be made public—usually on the utility's website or available by request.