CITY OF SOUTHAVEN Lead Service Line Inventory
What you need to know
The City of Southaven serves approximately 56,000 people in Mississippi. Like all U.S. water utilities, Southaven is required by federal law to identify and track lead service lines—the pipes that connect the water main to homes.
Current status: The City of Southaven has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in its system. This means the utility is still in the process of identifying which homes may have lead pipes.
Why this matters
A lead service line is one of the most direct routes for lead to enter your home's drinking water. Even new homes can have old lead pipes if they were installed or connected with existing infrastructure. Lead exposure has no safe level, especially for children under 6 and pregnant people.
The good news: federal and state programs now require utilities to find and replace these pipes, often with funding support.
What the City of Southaven is doing
Under the Lead and Copper Rule (updated in 2021), Southaven must develop and execute a plan to replace all lead service lines on public property and assist property owners with replacements on private property. The utility is currently working on inventory completion as the first step.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your utility directly to ask if your address has been surveyed for lead service lines. Call the City of Southaven Water Department or visit the city website.
- Request a water test from Southaven if you're concerned about lead. Many utilities offer free or low-cost testing.
- Learn your options for replacement funding. Mississippi may have state grants or rebates; ask your utility about available programs and the utility's replacement timeline.
- In the meantime, use cold tap water for drinking and cooking (hot water leaches more lead), and run the tap for 30 seconds before filling a glass if water has been sitting overnight.
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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 the City of Southaven directly—they're mapping the system now and can tell you if your address has been identified as having a lead line. You can also hire a plumber to inspect the pipe where it enters your home; lead is dull gray and can be scratched with a coin.
Is lead in Southaven's water dangerous?
Lead in drinking water poses real health risks, especially to children and pregnant people. There's no safe level. The CDC recommends testing your water and taking steps to reduce exposure if lead is found.
When will Southaven replace lead pipes?
The utility is currently completing its inventory. Once complete, they must develop a replacement schedule. Contact the City of Southaven Water Department to ask about their timeline and whether you qualify for assistance programs.
What can I do right now to reduce lead exposure?
Use cold water for drinking and cooking, run your tap for 30 seconds after it's been sitting, and consider a point-of-use filter certified for lead removal (NSF/ANSI 53). A water test will tell you if lead is actually present.