Lead Service Lines in Martinsburg, West Virginia
The City of Martinsburg water system serves about 16,250 people. Like many older cities in the US, some homes here may still have lead service lines—the pipes that connect your home to the main water line buried under the street.
What you need to know
Lead service lines are a potential source of lead in drinking water. The good news: lead in water can be managed. The challenge: Martinsburg has not yet completed a full inventory of which homes have lead service lines and which don't.
Current status: As of our last update, the City of Martinsburg has not publicly reported the results of a lead service line inventory. This means if you live in an older home (built before the 1980s), you won't know for certain whether your service line contains lead unless you contact the utility directly or have your water tested.
What you should do now
Contact the City of Martinsburg water department and ask:
- Does my home have a lead service line?
- Can they provide any records about my property's service line material?
- What's their timeline for completing the full inventory?
In the meantime, you can take simple steps to reduce potential exposure:
- Run the tap. Let cold water flow for 30 seconds to a few minutes before drinking or cooking, especially if water has been sitting in pipes overnight.
- Use cold water for cooking and drinking. Hot water can leach more lead from pipes.
- Test your water if you're concerned. You can find low-cost testing options through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
If you have young children or are pregnant, talk to your pediatrician or doctor about your water source—they can advise based on your specific situation.
Next steps for residents
- Call the City of Martinsburg water department to ask about your home's service line.
- Request a copy of any available records about your property.
- Consider having your water tested for lead.
- Check with neighbors in older homes to see if they've learned anything about their service lines.
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does my water have lead in it?
Martinsburg hasn't completed a full lead service line inventory yet, so unless you know your service line material, the safest assumption is to use precautions like flushing the tap before drinking and using cold water for cooking. A water test can tell you what's actually in your water.
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
Contact the City of Martinsburg water department with your address and ask. They may have records. Alternatively, you can ask a plumber to inspect the line, or check if your home was built before 1980—older homes are more likely to have lead lines.
Is lead in drinking water dangerous?
Lead exposure can affect development in children and cause health issues in adults. For health concerns, talk to your doctor or pediatrician. The CDC has guidance on lead and health at cdc.gov.
What can I do to reduce lead exposure right now?
Let cold water run for 30 seconds to a few minutes before drinking or cooking, especially after the water hasn't been used for hours. Avoid hot tap water for drinking or cooking, and consider having your water tested.