Lead Service Lines Frequently Asked Questions

Lead is a common naturally occurring metallic element that can be found in air, soil, and water. It is also a powerful toxin that is harmful to human health. Lead was commonly used in gasoline and paint until the 1970s and is still sometimes found in products such as ceramics, batteries, ammunition, and cosmetics. Lead was used for centuries in plumbing because of its pliability and resistance to leaks; in fact, lead’s chemical symbol, Pb, is derived from the Latin word for plumbing. 

Lead is a toxic metal that can cause immediate health effects at high doses and long term health effects if it builds up in the body over many years. Lead can cause brain and kidney damage in addition to effects on the blood and vitamin D metabolism. Pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable because the physical and behavioral effects of lead occur at lower exposure levels in children than in adults. In children, low levels of exposure have been linked to central and peripheral nervous system damage, learning disabilities, shorter stature, impaired hearing, and impaired formation and function of blood cells. While people are most commonly exposed to lead through paint, soil and dust, U.S. EPA estimates infants who consume mostly mixed formula can receive 40% to 60% of their exposure to lead from drinking water. 

Yes. Minute lead levels have been detected in our samples of our ground water supply in the past. The source of this lead comes  from the erosion of natrual deposits.  For more detailed information, please see the annual consumer confidence report. To access the report, click the button above this FAQ.

YES. Lead was used as water service line material in Carlsbad infrequently until the 1940s. Lead service lines were banned nation-wide in 1986. Many times, different materials were used for a single service. For example, the material used for the public portion of the service line (between the water main and meter) may be different than the private portion (between the meter and the house). 

The Water department is building a water service line inventory. The City of Carlsbad is developing an inventory of all the service lines in the city. You can help by identifying the material of your water service line and submitting your results to the City of of Carlsbad by clicking this  link. You may also ask Utilities Department to check the material of your water service line by calling 575-885-6313. Whether your service is copper, lead, or something else, we want to hear from you.

The City of Carlsbad is combing through its historic records, conducting field investigations, and working with city residents to identify the material of every service line in the city. Please assist our effort by submitting information on your service line material. Whether your service is copper, lead, or something else, we want to hear from you. If you’ve already submitted your information, thank you! Interior Plumbing is the responsibility of the property owner, not the city. If you believe you may have lead in your interior plumbing, you can hire a certified plumber to inspect the pipes and joints in your house. 

Ownership of the water service line is divided between City of Carlsbad and the property owner. The City of Carlsbad owns the portion of the service line from the water main to the meter. The property owner owns of the portion from the meter to the house. Identifying and replacing lead service line is therefore a shared responsibility between the City of Carlsbad and each property owner.

YES.  Once the city has completed the invintory and determined where lead service lines are, we will be replacing them.

YES. Because it is colorless and tasteless, lead is not readily apparent in water. In fact, the only way to know for certain whether your drinking water contains lead is to have your water tested by a certified laboratory. The City of Carlsbad can test a limited amount of a customers water for the presence of lead at no cost to you. While this service is provided free of charge, the homeowner or tenant must be responsible for ensuring that the proper procedure is followed. If you wish to take advantage of this free testing, please contact our Water Department at (575) 234-7906.

The best way to remove risks of lead in water is to completely replace all sources of lead. But there are also steps you can take right away to reduce lead levels in your water. Run the Tap Before Use. Lead levels are likely at their highest when water has been sitting in the pipe for several hours. Clear this water from your pipes by running the cold water for several minutes. This allows you to draw fresh water from the main. You can use the spent water on house plants or to flush toilets. • Clean Aerators. Aerators are small attachments at the tips of faucets which regulate the flow of water. They can accumulate small particles of lead in their screens. It’s a good idea to remove your aerators at least monthly and clean them out. Use Cold Water for Cooking and Drinking. Always cook and prepare baby formula with cold water, because hot water dissolves lead more quickly, resulting in higher levels in water. Filter the Water. Many home water filters are effective at removing lead. If you purchase a filter, make sure it is certified for lead removal and that you maintain it properly. Find out more on filter certification at www.nsf.org. 

Among other things, the water chemistry is monitored to ensure the prevention of additional lead from dissolving into our water from lead service lines or home plumbing. Our Water is Moderately Hard meaning that there is  a layer of Calcium Carbonate coating the inside of plumbing fixtures and service lines (White Chalky Material).

In 1986, U.S. Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act to prohibit the use of pipes, solder or flux that were not “lead free.” At the time “lead free” was defined as solder and flux with no more than .2% lead and pipes with no more than 8%. In 2014, the maximum allowable lead content was reduced from not more than 8% to not more than a weighted average of 0.25% of the wetted surface of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures. In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency published a regulation to control lead and copper in drinking water. This regulation is known as the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). Revisions to these rules are scheduled to go into effect October 2024. These regulations require every water system in the country to develop an inventory of water service lines and to develop a lead service line replacement program, among other provisions.