PORTSMOUTH, CITY OF — Lead Service Line Inventory
Portsmouth serves about 97,915 people in Virginia. Like many US water systems, it uses surface water as its primary source.
What we know right now
The city has not yet completed a public lead service line (LSL) inventory—or the inventory data has not been published in a searchable format. This does not mean there are no lead service lines in Portsmouth; it means the city is still in the process of locating and documenting them, or results are not yet available online.
Federal law (the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions) requires water systems to inventory all service lines and identify which are made of lead, galvanized steel, or other materials. The deadline for most systems was October 2024. If Portsmouth has not yet published its findings, they may still be conducting the survey or preparing the data for public release.
How to find Portsmouth's inventory
Contact Portsmouth's water utility directly to request their lead service line inventory. They can tell you:
- Whether your specific address has a lead service line
- The timeline for completing the full inventory
- What testing or replacement programs are available
- How to arrange a free or subsidized tap water test
You can also ask when they plan to make the full inventory publicly available.
What you can do now
Even without a complete inventory, you have options:
- Get your water tested. Contact Portsmouth's water department to request a free lead test kit or learn where to get one. Testing tells you whether lead is actually entering your home through your tap water.
- Request inspection records. Your water utility may have partial records of older service lines, even if the full inventory isn't done.
- Know the age of your home. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead service lines. If your home was built after 1986, the risk is lower (but not zero).
- Use point-of-use filters. NSF-certified filters rated for lead can reduce lead in drinking and cooking water while you wait for replacement or inventory results.
Next steps for residents
- Contact Portsmouth's water department and ask for their lead service line inventory or status update
- Request a free or low-cost water test to check for lead at your tap
- If you have young children or are pregnant, discuss tap water safety with your pediatrician or doctor
- Visit the EPA's lead resources page for filtration and replacement guidance
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Portsmouth have lead service lines?
Portsmouth has not yet published a complete lead service line inventory. Many older water systems, especially those built before the 1980s, do contain lead service lines. Contact your water utility to ask whether your street or neighborhood has known lead lines.
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
Contact Portsmouth's water department with your address. They may have records of your service line material. You can also request a visual inspection or free water test, which is the most direct way to know if lead is in your tap water.
Is it dangerous to drink water from a lead service line?
Lead in drinking water is a serious health concern, especially for young children and pregnant people. A water test is the only way to know if lead is actually present in your home. Contact the CDC or your pediatrician for health guidance.
What should I do if I think I have a lead service line?
Get your tap water tested first—many lead lines don't always result in detectable lead in the water. Then contact Portsmouth's water utility about replacement programs or assistance. In the meantime, use an NSF-certified lead filter for drinking and cooking water.