ASHLAND WATER WORKS Lead Service Line Inventory

What is Ashland Water Works doing about lead service lines?

Ashland Water Works serves about 44,400 people in Kentucky. The utility draws water from a surface source (rivers or lakes). Like all US water systems, Ashland Water Works is required by federal law to maintain an inventory of lead service lines—the pipes that connect the water main under the street to your home.

Current inventory status: Ashland Water Works has not yet reported completing a full lead service line inventory to the state. This means the utility may still be identifying which homes have lead service lines, or the data has not yet been made publicly available.

Why this matters

Lead service lines are the most common source of lead in drinking water. Water sitting in a lead pipe can leach lead into your tap water, especially if the water is corrosive or if you haven't used the water for several hours. Even low levels of lead exposure over time can be harmful to health, particularly for young children and pregnant people.

Knowing whether your home has a lead service line is the first step toward protecting your family. Once you know, you can take action—whether that's flushing your tap, installing a filter, or planning for replacement.

How to find out if you have a lead service line

Contact Ashland Water Works directly and ask:

• "Does my address have a lead service line?"
• "Can I see the results from my property?"
• "What options do I have for testing or replacement?"

The utility should be able to tell you based on their inventory records or service line documentation. If they don't have the information yet, ask when the inventory will be complete and how you'll be notified.

If you want independent confirmation, you can also hire a licensed plumber to inspect the pipe material at your home.

Testing your water

If you're concerned about lead in your tap water, you can request a free or low-cost test from your local health department or buy a test kit online. The EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) can connect you to testing resources in your area.

Next steps for residents

• Contact Ashland Water Works to ask about your address and whether a lead service line inventory is available.
• Request a copy of any inventory data or service line records for your home.
• If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your tap water for lead.
• Ask your water utility about lead service line replacement programs or rebates that may be available.

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```json [ { "q": "How do I know if my house has a lead service line?", "a": "Contact Ashland Water Works and ask if your address is listed in their lead service line inventory. You can also hire a plumber to inspect the pipe between the street and your home, or check old property records. The utility should have documentation of pipe materials used when your home was connected." }, { "q": "Is lead in drinking water dangerous?", "a": "Lead can accumulate in the body and cause health problems, especially in children under 6 and pregnant people. For specific health concerns, contact your pediatrician or the CDC. The best approach is to avoid exposure by identifying lead pipes and using filters or flushing until the line is replaced." }, { "q": "Can I get my lead service line replaced?", "a": "Yes. Contact Ashland Water Works to ask about replacement programs, costs, and any available funding or rebates. Some utilities cover the full cost; others share it with homeowners. Federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is also available to water systems for lead line replacements." }, { "q": "Will boiling or filtering my water remove lead?", "a": "Boiling does not remove lead. Certified lead-removal filters (like reverse osmosis or specific ion-exchange cartridges) can work, but they require proper installation and regular replacement. A water test can confirm whether