Lead Service Lines in LCA Allentown Division
What you need to know
LCA Allentown Division serves approximately 118,000 residents in Pennsylvania. The utility draws water from surface sources (rivers, reservoirs, or lakes).
Current status: The utility has not yet completed a public inventory of lead service lines in its system. This means there's no published count of how many homes are at higher risk from lead pipes.
Why this matters
A lead service line is the pipe connecting your home to the water main under the street. If present, it's the single largest source of lead in drinking water. Lead can affect children's development, even at low levels. Adults may also experience health effects from long-term exposure.
Not all homes have lead service lines. Age of the home, local pipe installation practices, and soil chemistry all affect the likelihood. But the only way to know for sure is testing or a utility inventory.
What LCA Allentown Division needs to do
Federal law requires water utilities to:
- Identify which service lines contain lead
- Share that information publicly
- Develop a plan to replace lead lines
LCA Allentown Division is still working on step one. Without a completed inventory, residents don't have a clear picture of whether their street or neighborhood is affected.
What you can do now
Test your water. A simple test costs $20–30 and takes a few minutes. You'll know your home's actual lead level, whether or not the utility has completed its inventory yet.
Contact your utility directly to ask:
- Does my address have a lead service line?
- When will the inventory be complete?
- What rebates or programs help with replacement?
The utility may have partial information even if a full public inventory isn't ready.
Health questions
If you're concerned about lead exposure—especially for children or pregnant people—contact your doctor or the CDC's hotline. A pediatrician can order a blood lead test if warranted.
Next steps for residents
- Get your water tested through your state lab or a certified private lab (ask LCA Allentown Division for referrals)
- Ask your utility about lead in your service line and any replacement programs
- Check your home's age and pipes — homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead lines
- Report missing inventory data to your state drinking water program if you believe it's incomplete
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 home has a lead service line?
The most reliable way is to contact LCA Allentown Division and ask about your address, or have a licensed plumber inspect the line where it enters your home. You can also test your water to measure actual lead levels, though the presence of lead in water doesn't always mean you have a lead service line.
Is lead in drinking water dangerous?
Yes. Lead is a neurotoxin and can harm children's brain development, even at low levels. Adults may experience kidney and nerve damage from long-term exposure. If you're concerned about health effects, talk to your doctor or call the CDC.
Can I remove lead from my water at home?
Some point-of-use filters (like NSF-certified pitchers or faucet filters) reduce lead, but they don't eliminate the root problem—a lead service line. Replacing the line is the permanent solution. Contact your utility about replacement programs or rebates.
When will LCA Allentown Division finish its lead inventory?
The completion date is not yet publicly available. Contact the utility directly to ask about their timeline and whether they have partial data for your area.