Lead Service Lines in PA AMERICAN WATER PUNXSY
What you need to know
PA AMERICAN WATER PUNXSY serves about 8,800 people in Pennsylvania. The utility has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in the water system.
A lead service line is the pipe that connects the main water line under the street to your home. If your service line is lead, some lead can leach into your drinking water—especially if the water is corrosive or you haven't used a tap for several hours. Even low levels of lead exposure over time can affect children's development and learning.
Has this utility inventoried lead service lines?
No inventory results are currently available for PA AMERICAN WATER PUNXSY. This means the utility has either not yet assessed the water system for lead lines, or results have not been made public yet.
Federal law requires all public water systems to complete a lead service line inventory by October 2024. If your utility missed this deadline, they must provide a compliance schedule explaining when the inventory will be finished.
What should you do?
Contact your water utility directly. Ask them:
- Whether your property has a lead service line
- When the full inventory will be complete
- What the water system is doing to reduce lead exposure in the meantime (corrosion control, flushing programs, etc.)
In the meantime, you can reduce lead in your tap water by running cold water for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking, and by using only cold water for drinking and cooking (hot water leaches more lead).
If you have young children, talk to your pediatrician about whether a blood lead test makes sense for your family. More information is available from the CDC on lead and children's health.
Next steps for residents
- Contact PA AMERICAN WATER PUNXSY directly to ask about lead service lines at your address
- Request their lead service line inventory timeline if not yet complete
- Reduce exposure now by flushing cold water before drinking and using cold water for cooking
- Talk to your doctor if you have young children and want guidance on testing
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 I have a lead service line?
Contact your water utility with your address—they should know from their records or the city's infrastructure maps. You can also have a plumber inspect the line where it enters your home, though this requires digging. A magnet won't stick to lead, but that's not a reliable test.
Is lead in water dangerous?
Lead in drinking water can pose health risks, especially for children under 6 and pregnant people. Exposure can affect learning and behavior. Talk to your pediatrician or doctor about your specific situation; the CDC has detailed health information online.
What's the difference between a lead service line and lead pipes inside my house?
A service line runs from the street main to your home's meter. Internal lead pipes are less common but possible in older homes. Both can leach lead into water; your utility is responsible for the service line, but you may need to replace internal plumbing yourself.
When will PA AMERICAN WATER PUNXSY finish their lead inventory?
The utility must complete their inventory by October 2024 under federal law. Contact them directly to ask for a timeline and to request your property's status.