KENOVA MUNICIPAL WATER Lead Service Line Inventory

What you need to know

Kenova Municipal Water serves about 11,200 people in West Virginia. Like many older water systems across the country, it may have lead service lines—the pipes that connect the water main under the street to homes. Lead can leach into drinking water, especially in homes with older plumbing.

Right now, Kenova Municipal Water has not yet completed a full inventory of its lead service lines. This means the utility doesn't yet have a public count of how many homes have lead pipes, or which neighborhoods are most affected. That information is required by the EPA, and most water systems are still working through the process.

What this means for your home

You live in an older part of the country where lead service lines are common. Many homes built before 1980 have them. Until the utility finishes its inventory, you won't know for certain whether your home has a lead service line just by asking the water department.

You can request a plumbing profile from your water utility. They should be able to tell you what material your service line is made of—lead, galvanized steel, copper, or plastic. If you're concerned, you can also hire a plumber to check, or contact your local health department for guidance.

Protecting your family right now

Even if your home has a lead service line, you can reduce exposure:

• Run the tap before drinking or cooking. Let cold water flow for 30 seconds to a few minutes, especially first thing in the morning or after several hours without use. This clears water sitting in the pipes overnight.
• Use cold water for cooking and drinking. Hot water pulls more lead from pipes.
• Consider a filter. If you want extra reassurance, NSF-certified filters (labeled for lead) can reduce lead in your tap water.
• Have your child tested if worried. Talk to your pediatrician about a blood lead test.

The CDC has more detailed guidance on lead and children's health.

Next steps for residents

• Contact Kenova Municipal Water and ask when their lead service line inventory will be complete, and how to find out if your home has a lead line.
• Request your plumbing profile or have a licensed plumber inspect your service line.
• Check the EPA's lead guidance for families, especially if you have young children or are pregnant.
• Consider point-of-use filters (like NSF-certified pitchers) as a temporary measure while the utility completes its work.

```json [ { "q": "Does my water have lead in it?", "a": "Kenova Municipal Water hasn't finished mapping which homes have lead service lines yet, so you won't know for certain until the utility completes its inventory or you check your own plumbing. Contact the water utility to ask about your specific address or request your plumbing profile." }, { "q": "How do I know if my pipes are lead?", "a": "Ask your water utility for a plumbing profile, or hire a plumber to inspect your service line. You can also scrape the pipe with a coin—lead is soft and will show a shiny gray color underneath. Galvanized and copper pipes look different and won't scrape as easily." }, { "q": "What should I do right now to reduce lead in my water?", "a": "Run the tap cold for 30 seconds to a few minutes before drinking or cooking, especially in the morning. Use cold water for cooking and drinking (not hot). If you want extra protection, an NSF-certified filter labeled for lead can help." }, { "q": "Is my child at risk from lead in water?", "a": "Young children and babies are most at risk from lead exposure. Talk to your pediatrician about whether a blood lead test makes sense for your child, and see the CDC's guidance on lead and children's health