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Is my water pipe lead?

Short answer

Find the pipe where water enters your home, usually by the meter. Scratch it gently with a coin. Lead is soft and scratches to shiny silver, and a magnet won’t stick. If a magnet sticks, it’s likely galvanized steel. Penny-colored means copper. Then check your utility’s inventory.

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Step by step

  1. Find the pipe. Look where water enters your home, usually near the meter, often in the basement or a front utility closet.
  2. Scratch it. Use a coin or key on the section between the wall and the meter. Don’t puncture the pipe.
  3. Try a magnet. A refrigerator magnet sticks to galvanized steel only.
  4. Confirm with your utility. Look up your address in its service line inventory. If it says “unknown,” many utilities take a photo report.
Scratch and magnet testThree pipes: lead scratches shiny silver and a magnet does not stick; galvanized steel attracts a magnet; copper scratches penny-colored and a magnet does not stick. Lead Scratch: Shiny silver Magnet sticks: No Galvanized steel Scratch: Gray, hard Magnet sticks: Yes Copper Scratch: Penny color Magnet sticks: No
Original LeadPipeHelp diagram. Always confirm with your water utility.
A short, dull gray lead pipe connector (a 'gooseneck') lying on the ground after removal.
Photo: Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, United States..., Public domain. Credits
Copper pipes next to gray galvanized steel and black steel pipes mounted on a board for comparison.
Photo: Le plombier du désert, CC BY-SA 4.0 (license). Credits
A lead service line entering a basement wall and connecting to a valve, from EPA.
Photo: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Public domain. Credits

See also EPA’s Protect Your Tap quick check, an official tool covering the same test.

Who owns which part?

Who owns which part of the service lineFrom the water main to the curb stop is usually utility-owned; from the curb stop into the house is usually owner-owned. This varies by city. House Curb stop Main Usually the owner Usually the utility
Original diagram. The split varies: in NYC, owners are responsible for the entire service line (NYC DEP).
An excavated yard showing a water meter can and a curb stop can, where the service line runs.
Photo: Arlo Barnes, CC0 (license). Credits

Your next steps, in order

Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Plumber quotes are a referral service that is free to you, paid by providers, and your details are shared with them. We always show free programs first. Read our full disclosure.

  1. 1. Use the free or low-cost program first

    Many utilities replace lines at no cost or offer no-interest loans.

    Find my city

  2. 2. Test your water

    Some cities test free (Chicago: call 311). Otherwise a certified-lab mail-in kit is an option.

    Tap Score test kit (affiliate link, placeholder)

  3. 3. While you wait, consider a certified filter

    Look for NSF/ANSI 53 certification for lead reduction.

    NSF/ANSI 53 filters on Amazon (affiliate, placeholder)

  4. If the free program covers your line, you’re done. You don’t need step 4.

  5. 4. Not eligible or can’t wait? Compare plumbers

    Before hiring, ask your utility whether you need pre-approval so you don’t lose program help.

    Plumber quotes (referral, coming soon)

Frequently asked questions

Can I tell from inside the house what the whole line is made of?

No. You only see the part entering your home. The part under your yard or the street can be different, which is why utilities keep inventories (Columbus notes the material on your notice may differ from the pipe you see).

Does a lead pipe mean my water has lead in it?

Not necessarily. Columbus Water & Power states that having a lead or galvanized line does not mean lead is present in your drinking water. A water test is the way to know; some cities test free.

What if my pipe is painted or wrapped?

Test a small unpainted spot, or ask your utility to inspect. Many, like Cleveland Water and Columbus, accept photo submissions.

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LeadPipeHelp.org/is-my-pipe-lead/ · Last checked Oct 15, 2026 · Free guide. Confirm with your water utility.