Lead Service Line Information for Owensboro Municipal Utilities
About your water system
Owensboro Municipal Utilities serves approximately 60,473 people in Kentucky. The system draws water from groundwater sources.
Lead service lines: what we know
A lead service line is the pipe that connects your home to the public water main under the street. If your line is made of lead, water can pick up lead as it travels to your tap—especially in older homes or after water sits in the pipes overnight.
Owensboro Municipal Utilities has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in its system. This means the utility does not yet have a published count of how many lead lines exist in the service area, or which neighborhoods are most affected.
What this means for you
Without a finished inventory, you won't know from a public database whether your home has a lead service line. However, you have other options:
Check your property records. Homes built before 1986 are at higher risk—that's when federal rules began restricting lead in plumbing materials. If your home was built before the 1970s, the risk is even higher.
Contact your utility directly. Owensboro Municipal Utilities may have records on individual service lines, even if they haven't published a full system-wide inventory yet. Call or visit their website to ask about your address.
Test your water. A simple test can tell you whether lead is present at your tap right now. The CDC recommends lead testing, especially in homes with children under 6 or pregnant people.
Next steps for residents
- Call Owensboro Municipal Utilities to ask if they have records about your home's service line material or expected completion date for the full inventory.
- Have your water tested for lead by a certified lab or through your local health department.
- If your home was built before 1986, assume higher risk and consider replacement or interim measures like flushing lines and using filters while you learn more.
- Visit the CDC's lead in drinking water page for guidance on testing, filters, and health information.
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Owensboro have lead service lines?
Owensboro Municipal Utilities has not yet completed a full inventory, so a public count of lead lines is not available. Homes built before 1986 are at higher risk. Contact the utility or have your water tested to learn about your home specifically.
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
Check your home's age (pre-1986 homes are higher risk), call Owensboro Municipal Utilities for records on your address, or hire a plumber to inspect. A water test will tell you if lead is reaching your tap.
Is lead in drinking water dangerous?
Lead exposure can affect brain development in children and cause other health problems. Contact your pediatrician or the CDC for health guidance specific to your household. Water testing is the first step to know your actual risk.
What should I do if I'm worried about lead?
Start by testing your water through a certified lab or local health department. Then contact Owensboro Municipal Utilities about your service line. If you have young children or are pregnant, talk to your doctor about precautions.