BATON ROUGE WATER COMPANY Lead Service Line Inventory

Baton Rouge Water Company serves about 597,000 people across the Baton Rouge area. If you're concerned about lead in your water, here's what you need to know about this utility's inventory efforts and what you can do.

What we know about lead service lines in Baton Rouge

A lead service line is a pipe that carries water from the street main into your home. If your house was built before the 1980s, there's a possibility it has one.

Baton Rouge Water Company is required under federal law (the Lead and Copper Rule) to maintain an inventory of lead and galvanized service lines. Currently, the utility has not yet completed or published a comprehensive lead service line inventory. This means the public doesn't have access to a list of known lead lines in the service area.

The utility draws water from groundwater sources, which is generally less corrosive than surface water. However, the water system's pipes and treatment still matter for lead risk.

Why inventories matter

An inventory tells you whether your home likely has a lead service line. Knowing is the first step to fixing it. Utilities use inventories to:

• Inform homeowners so they can test and take action
• Plan replacement programs with better data
• Track progress toward eliminating lead lines
• Comply with EPA requirements

What to do if you're concerned

Contact Baton Rouge Water Company directly to ask:

• Does my address have a known or suspected lead service line?
• What testing or inspection options are available?
• Are there any replacement assistance programs I can use?

You can also test your water. The EPA recommends having your water tested if your home was built before 1986 or if your service line is unknown. A basic lead test kit is inexpensive and available at most hardware stores. For guidance on testing, contact your local health department.

If you have young children in your home, talk to your pediatrician about lead exposure risks. The CDC has resources on lead and child health.

Next steps for residents

• Contact the utility using the phone number or website for Baton Rouge Water Company and ask about your address and service line material
• Request a water test or ask whether the utility offers free testing
• Look for replacement programs — some utilities help pay for service line replacements
• Consider a point-of-use filter if your line is lead and replacement isn't immediately possible (NSF-certified filters designed for lead removal work best)

```json [ { "q": "Does Baton Rouge have lead in the water?", "a": "Baton Rouge Water Company has not yet published a complete lead service line inventory, so the exact number of lead lines is not publicly available. The utility draws from groundwater, which is generally less corrosive, but older pipes and service lines can still contain lead. Contact the utility to check your address." }, { "q": "How do I know if my house has a lead service line?", "a": "Call Baton Rouge Water Company and give them your address. They can check their records. You can also hire a licensed plumber to inspect your service line, or test your water for lead. Homes built before the 1980s are at higher risk." }, { "q": "Is lead service line water safe to drink?", "a": "Lead can leach into drinking water, especially in older homes or if water is corrosive. The only way to fully eliminate risk is to replace the lead service line. In the meantime, you can use a certified filter or flush the tap before drinking. For health concerns, talk to your doctor or the CDC." }, { "q": "Can Baton Rouge Water Company replace my lead service line?", "a": "Contact the utility to ask about replacement programs or assistance. Many utilities cover the cost of the public-side replacement (street to meter); homeowners typically pay for the private side