Lead Service Lines in Johnson City, Tennessee
What you need to know
Johnson City Water Department serves about 105,000 people in Tennessee. Like many older water systems, lead service lines—the pipes that connect the public main to individual homes—may be present in the community.
A lead service line is a direct pathway for lead to enter your drinking water. Lead exposure, especially for children and pregnant people, can affect development and health. The good news: lead in water is completely preventable through filtration and replacement.
Current inventory status
Johnson City Water Department has not yet completed a public inventory of lead service lines in the system. This means:
- The utility has not published how many lead, galvanized, or unknown lines exist
- Residents cannot easily look up their own property's pipe material
- The utility is still in the process of surveying the system
This is common—many systems nationwide are still mapping their infrastructure.
What the utility should do next
Federal law (the Lead and Copper Rule) requires water systems to:
1. Complete a full lead service line inventory 2. Publish that inventory publicly so residents can find out if they have a lead line 3. Develop and share a plan to replace lead lines over time
Johnson City Water Department is legally required to complete these steps. The timeline varies by system size, but most utilities are working toward completion over the next few years.
What you can do now
If you're concerned about lead in your water:
- Contact Johnson City Water Department directly and ask about your property's service line material. They may have records even if the public inventory isn't finished.
- Request a free water test through your local health department if you have a lead or unknown service line.
- Use a certified water filter (NSF/ANSI Standard 53) on your kitchen tap as a temporary measure while waiting for inventory results or line replacement.
For health questions: Contact the CDC or your pediatrician if you have concerns about lead exposure, especially for young children.
Next steps for residents
- Contact the utility: Call Johnson City Water Department and ask about your property's service line material and the timeline for the public inventory.
- Get your water tested: If your line is lead or unknown, request a free or low-cost test through your county health department.
- Use a filter: Consider a certified lead-reducing filter on your kitchen tap while you wait for more information.
- Stay informed: Check back on the utility's website or contact them periodically for updates on the inventory release.
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Johnson City have lead in the water?
Johnson City Water Department has not yet published a public inventory of lead service lines, so the full extent is unknown. Lead enters water through old pipes connecting homes to the main, not from the source itself. Contact the utility to learn about your specific property.
How do I know if I have a lead service line?
Call Johnson City Water Department and ask for your property's service line material. They may have records. If they don't know, a plumber can inspect the line where it enters your home, or you can request a water test to check for lead.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Johnson City right now?
If you have a lead or unknown service line, use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter on your kitchen tap for drinking and cooking. For children under 6 or pregnant people, consider using filtered or bottled water until you know your line material. Contact your pediatrician if you have health concerns.
When will Johnson City replace lead service lines?
The utility has not yet published a replacement plan. Contact Johnson City Water Department to ask about their timeline and whether you qualify for assistance. Federal funding is becoming available to help with replacements.