Lead Service Line Information for ACSA URBAN AREA
ACSA URBAN AREA serves 77,408 people across Virginia. If you're concerned about lead in your water, this page explains what's known about the system's lead service lines and what you can do.
What is a lead service line?
A lead service line is the pipe that connects your home to the public water main. These pipes were common before the 1980s because lead was cheap and corrosion-resistant. If you have one, lead can leach into your drinking water—especially from cold water taps and in homes where water sits unused for hours.
What does ACSA URBAN AREA know about lead in its system?
ACSA URBAN AREA has not yet completed a comprehensive inventory of its lead service lines. The system has not submitted detailed information about how many lead, galvanized, or non-lead pipes are in use.
Federal law requires all water systems to inventory their lead service lines by October 2024. ACSA URBAN AREA is working to meet this deadline and should publish findings in the coming months.
How to find out if your home has a lead service line
The only certain way is to contact ACSA URBAN AREA directly or have a licensed plumber inspect your line. You can:
- Call or visit the utility's website to ask if your address is in a high-risk area (often older neighborhoods built before the 1980s)
- Request a water test (many utilities offer free or low-cost testing)
- Ask a plumber to examine the pipe where it enters your home (lead is dull gray and soft—a magnet won't stick to it)
What you can do right now
Use a water filter: If you're concerned, install a point-of-use filter certified for lead removal (NSF/ANSI Standard 53). These are inexpensive and widely available.
Flush your pipes: Run cold water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes each morning before drinking or cooking. This clears water that sat in the line overnight.
Request a test: Contact ACSA URBAN AREA to ask about free or subsidized water testing.
Next steps for residents
- Contact ACSA URBAN AREA directly to ask if your address has a known or suspected lead service line
- Check the utility's website or call to find out when the lead service line inventory will be available
- Consider a water filter rated for lead if you can't confirm your line is lead-free
- If you have young children or are pregnant, talk to your pediatrician or doctor about 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 my water has lead?
You can't taste or see lead in water. The only way to know is to test it. Contact ACSA URBAN AREA to ask about free or low-cost testing, or buy a home test kit from a hardware store. If you have a lead service line, your water is more likely to contain lead.
Is lead in water dangerous?
Lead exposure can harm brain development in children and cause other health problems over time. Talk to your pediatrician or doctor about your risk. For more information, visit the CDC website.
What should I do if I think my home has a lead service line?
Call ACSA URBAN AREA to ask about your address and request a water test. In the meantime, flush your pipes in the morning, use a water filter certified for lead removal, and avoid using hot tap water for drinking or cooking.
When will my water utility finish its lead inventory?
Federal law requires all water systems to complete lead service line inventories by October 2024. Contact ACSA URBAN AREA to ask when results will be public for your neighborhood.