Lead Service Lines in Onslow Water and Sewer Authority

Onslow Water and Sewer Authority serves about 156,755 people across North Carolina. If you're wondering whether lead pipes might be in your home's water system, here's what we know—and what you can do to find out.

What is a lead service line?

A lead service line is the underground pipe that connects your home to the public water main. If your home was built before the late 1980s, there's a realistic chance your service line contains lead. Lead pipes were common because the metal is easy to work with and was inexpensive. Water flowing through lead pipes can pick up lead particles, especially if the water is acidic or sits in pipes overnight.

What Onslow is doing

The EPA requires all water utilities to create and maintain an inventory of lead service lines in their systems. Onslow Water and Sewer Authority has begun this work, but a complete public inventory is not yet available.

The utility has not yet reported details about how many lead, galvanized, or non-lead service lines serve the system. Your best source for current information is the utility itself.

How to check your home

Your service line status depends on your home's age, location, and what materials were used in your neighborhood at the time of construction. Onslow Water and Sewer Authority can tell you:

• Whether your specific address has a known lead service line
• Whether records exist for your property
• What steps are available if lead is found

Even if the utility's inventory doesn't list your address, you can have your water tested for lead. A simple test costs $20–$50 and takes a few days for results.

Protecting your family now

If you have a lead service line or suspect you do:

• Use cold water for drinking and cooking (hot water dissolves lead faster)
• Flush the line each morning by running water for 30 seconds before collecting drinking water
• Consider a point-of-use water filter certified to remove lead (NSF Standard 53)

If you have young children or are pregnant, contact your doctor or local health department for guidance on testing and precautions. The CDC has detailed information on lead and health.

Next steps for residents

• Contact Onslow Water and Sewer Authority directly to ask about your service line. Provide your address and ask if they have records.
• Request a water test through the utility or a certified lab if you want to know your current lead level.
• Install a certified filter on your kitchen tap as a short-term measure while you investigate your service line.
• Visit the EPA's lead service line page for federal resources and state-specific guidance.

```json [ { "q": "How do I know if I have a lead service line?", "a": "Contact Onslow Water and Sewer Authority with your address—they maintain records of service line materials. You can also have your water tested for lead, which gives you a direct measurement of what's in your tap water." }, { "q": "Is lead in water dangerous?", "a": "Lead has no safe level of exposure, especially for children and pregnant people. For health guidance specific to your situation, talk to your doctor or call your local health department." }, { "q": "Can I remove lead from my water myself?", "a": "A water filter certified for lead removal (NSF Standard 53) can reduce lead in your tap water. Flushing your line each morning also helps. But the safest solution is replacing a lead service line, which only the utility or a licensed plumber can do." }, { "q": "Will the utility replace my lead service line for free?", "a": "Contact Onslow Water and Sewer Authority to ask about their lead line replacement program and any costs. Many utilities offer cost-sharing or grants, and federal funding is now available in some areas." }