Jacksonville City of Water System: Lead Service Line Information
Jacksonville serves about 49,000 people in North Carolina. If you're concerned about lead in your water, this page has what you need to know.
What is a lead service line?
A lead service line is the pipe that connects your home to the public water main under the street. If your home was built before 1986, there's a higher chance your service line contains lead—especially if it was installed in the mid-20th century. Lead can leach into your drinking water, particularly if the water is corrosive or hasn't been sitting in pipes for a while.
What does Jacksonville's inventory show?
Jacksonville has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in its system. This doesn't mean there's no lead—it means the utility hasn't finished counting and cataloging which homes have lead lines versus other materials (copper, PVC, galvanized steel).
Federal law (the Lead and Copper Rule) requires all water systems to develop and maintain an inventory by October 2024. Jacksonville may still be working toward compliance, or the data may not yet be public.
How do I find out if my home has a lead service line?
Contact Jacksonville City of directly—they can tell you what they know about your specific address. You can also:
- Ask the previous owner or check your home inspection records
- Look at your property plat or deed at the county register
- Hire a plumber to inspect the line where it enters your home (the part you can usually see in your basement or crawlspace)
What should I do right now?
Even without knowing your line's material, you can reduce lead exposure immediately:
- Let water run cold for 30–60 seconds before drinking or cooking if water has sat in pipes overnight
- Use cold water only for drinking and cooking (hot water leaches more lead)
- Test your water if you have a young child or are pregnant—contact your utility for a free or low-cost test kit
If you're concerned about your child's health, talk to your pediatrician or contact the CDC's lead exposure information.
Next steps for residents
- Contact Jacksonville City of to ask about the lead service line inventory status and what's known about your address
- Request a free water test kit from your utility if you have children under 6 or are pregnant
- Read your utility's Lead and Copper Rule compliance report (usually available on their website)
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 Jacksonville water has lead in it?
The only way to know is to test your water. Contact Jacksonville City of and ask for a free or low-cost water test kit. Results will tell you the actual lead level in your home.
Does Jacksonville City of have lead service lines?
Jacksonville has not yet completed its lead service line inventory, so it's unknown how many lead lines are in the system. Contact your utility directly to ask about your specific address and when the full inventory will be available.
Is it safe to drink Jacksonville tap water?
Jacksonville must meet federal safety standards and treat water to control corrosion. However, if you have a lead service line, lead can still leach into your water. Let water run cold before drinking, use cold water for cooking, and consider testing if you have young children.
Can I replace my lead service line myself?
Replacement should be done by a licensed plumber. Contact Jacksonville City of first—some utilities cover part of the cost or have replacement programs. Get a few quotes before proceeding.