Lead Service Lines in Fayetteville, North Carolina

About Your Water System

Fayetteville Public Works Commission serves approximately 215,590 people in North Carolina. The utility draws water from surface sources (rivers or reservoirs) and delivers it through a network of pipes to homes and businesses.

Lead Service Lines: What You Need to Know

A lead service line is the pipe that connects your home to the public water main buried under the street. If your home was built before the 1980s, there's a meaningful chance your service line contains lead. When water sits in lead pipes overnight or between uses, lead can leach into your tap water—especially if the water is acidic or soft.

The good news: Lead in water is preventable. The bad news is that it requires action.

Inventory Status

Fayetteville Public Works Commission has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in its system. This means the utility cannot yet tell you with certainty whether your home has a lead service line. Many water systems nationwide are still in the early stages of inventory work, which is required under the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule.

An incomplete inventory doesn't mean your water is unsafe—it means the utility hasn't yet systematically documented which homes are at risk. This is an important gap to close, especially for families with children under 6 or pregnant women, who are most vulnerable to lead exposure.

What You Can Do Right Now

Test your water. Contact Fayetteville Public Works Commission and ask about their free or low-cost testing program. Many utilities offer this service. A simple test can tell you whether lead is present in your tap water.

Know your home's age. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead service lines. Check your deed or ask your utility.

Use cold water for drinking and cooking. If lead is in your pipes, it's more likely in hot water (which dissolves lead faster) and in water that's been sitting. Run the tap for 30 seconds before drawing water for consumption.

Request updates on the inventory. Fayetteville Public Works Commission is required to complete its lead service line inventory on a federal timeline. You can ask the utility when it expects to finish and whether your address has been surveyed.

Next Steps for Residents

• Contact Fayetteville Public Works Commission and ask about free water testing and your home's service line status
• Request the utility's lead service line inventory timeline and replacement plan
• If lead is detected, ask about partial line replacement assistance or corrosion control
• Check the CDC website for guidance on lead health effects and protection strategies

```json [ { "q": "Does Fayetteville have lead in the water?", "a": "Fayetteville Public Works Commission has not yet completed its lead service line inventory, so the full picture is unknown. However, the presence of a lead service line doesn't automatically mean your water contains lead—testing is the only way to know for sure. Contact your utility for a free test." }, { "q": "How do I know if my house has a lead service line?", "a": "The utility's inventory will eventually tell you, but it's not complete yet. In the meantime, you can ask your water company directly, check your home's age (pre-1986 homes are higher risk), or have a plumber inspect the line where it enters your home. It's usually the line that's dull gray and soft." }, { "q": "Is lead service line replacement covered?", "a": "Funding programs vary by state and utility. Contact Fayetteville Public Works Commission to ask about replacement assistance, grants, or low-interest loans. The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is funding many replacements nationwide." }, { "q": "What should I do if I'm worried about lead exposure?", "a": "Test your water first. If lead is present, use