ALEXANDRIA, CITY OF — Lead Service Line Inventory
The City of Alexandria serves approximately 159,200 residents across Virginia. Like many older US water systems, Alexandria may have lead service lines—the pipes that connect the water main under the street to individual homes.
What you need to know
Lead service lines are a real concern, but manageable. Lead can leach into drinking water, especially from older pipes and in homes with corrosive water conditions. The EPA and CDC both recommend testing your water and knowing your service line material.
Alexandria's inventory status: The city has not yet completed a full lead service line inventory (as of this record). This means the city has not publicly documented how many lead, galvanized, or unknown service lines exist in its system. Without this data, neither residents nor the utility can target replacement efforts effectively.
What this means for you: You cannot rely on the city's inventory to tell you whether your home has a lead service line. You'll need to contact the utility directly or check your property records.
Your next steps
The most practical action is to reach out to the City of Alexandria's water utility. They can:
- Tell you what material your service line is made of
- Explain the city's current lead reduction plans
- Discuss replacement timelines and costs
- Provide guidance on water testing
If you have young children or are pregnant, the CDC recommends testing your water for lead regardless of your service line status, since lead can also come from household plumbing fixtures and solder.
Next steps for residents
- Contact Alexandria's water utility to learn your service line material and ask about their lead inventory and replacement timeline.
- Get your water tested through a certified lab if you're concerned about lead exposure (especially with young children in the home).
- Check your property deed or contact your city assessor's office for historical records about when your home was built—homes built before 1950 are more likely to have lead service lines.
- Visit the EPA's lead and copper page for information on flushing your tap and choosing appropriate filters if needed.
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 directly—they maintain records of service line materials for each property. You can also ask a plumber to inspect the line where it enters your home, though this may require excavation. The utility is your fastest option.
Is my water safe to drink if I have a lead service line?
It depends on your specific water chemistry and home setup. The only way to know is to test your water through a certified lab. Even homes with lead service lines may have low or undetectable lead if the water is properly treated or corrosion control measures are in place.
What should I do if my child has been drinking water from a lead service line?
Contact your pediatrician or your state health department. They can discuss whether blood lead testing is appropriate. Early detection and intervention are important, and your doctor can provide guidance based on your child's age and exposure history.
When will Alexandria replace lead service lines?
Contact the City of Alexandria's water utility for their replacement timeline and any programs that may help with costs. Federal funding (including Bipartisan Infrastructure Law money) is now available to many utilities for lead line replacement.