Lead Service Line Inventory: Bowling Green Municipal Utilities
Bowling Green Municipal Utilities serves about 53,600 people in Kentucky. If you're wondering whether your home might have a lead service line—the pipe that connects your house to the water main—here's what you need to know.
What is a lead service line?
A lead service line is the underground pipe that brings water from the city's water main into your home. Lead lines were commonly installed before the 1980s, when regulations tightened. Lead can leach into drinking water, especially if your water is corrosive or sits in pipes overnight.
The inventory status
Bowling Green Municipal Utilities has not yet completed a public inventory of lead service lines in their system. This means the utility has not yet published a searchable list or map showing which neighborhoods or addresses are most likely to have lead pipes.
This is not unusual. Many water systems across the country are still in the early stages of creating these inventories, which requires checking property records, meter installation files, and sometimes digging up pipes for physical inspection.
What you can do now
Contact Bowling Green Municipal Utilities directly. Ask them:
- Whether your street or neighborhood is known to have lead service lines
- Whether your specific address has a lead line (or a galvanized line, which can also corrode and release lead)
- When they expect to finish their lead service line inventory
- What water quality testing they offer
Even without a complete inventory, the utility may have records—either from construction documents, previous testing, or customer complaints—that could help answer your question.
Testing your water
If you're concerned about lead, you can have your water tested. A basic lead test typically costs $20–50 through a private lab. The EPA recommends testing the first water drawn from your tap in the morning, since lead accumulates overnight in stagnant pipes.
If your test shows elevated lead, run cold water for 30 seconds to a few minutes before drinking or cooking, and use cold (not hot) tap water for infant formula.
For health questions about lead exposure, consult your pediatrician or the CDC's lead safety guidance.
Next steps for residents
- Contact Bowling Green Municipal Utilities to ask about lead service lines at your address
- Request their timeline for completing a public lead service line inventory
- Consider getting your water tested if you have concerns
- Check the EPA's "My Water's Fluoride" tool and local resources for other water quality information
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 I have a lead service line?
Contact your water utility—Bowling Green Municipal Utilities may have records of your pipe material. You can also have your water tested for lead, or hire a plumber to inspect your water meter and entry pipes. Lead is soft and gray, and a magnet will not stick to it.
Is lead service line water safe to drink?
It depends on your water chemistry and how long water sits in the pipes. Lead can leach into drinking water, but flushing the tap for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking often reduces exposure. If you're concerned, test your water or contact your utility.
When will Bowling Green Municipal Utilities finish their lead inventory?
That information is not yet public. Call the utility directly to ask about their timeline and to request updates as they complete their inventory.
Can I replace my lead service line myself?
No—your utility manages the portion from the main to the property line, and local plumbing codes govern the rest. Contact Bowling Green Municipal Utilities to ask whether they offer replacement programs or financing assistance.