Customer Service Line Identification Survey

Lead Service Lines

The City of Bethlehem Water & Sewer Resources Department is seeking your help in identifying the material of the water service line coming into your home.

It is important that residents check their water service line because all potential sources of lead in plumbing should be removed when possible. Lead can also be found in older brass fixtures and valves and in old solder that connects pipes.

Please note that simply having a lead service line does not mean that your drinking water contains high levels of lead. The City of Bethlehem employs corrosion control treatment that greatly reduces the chance of lead leaching into the water and is effective at keeping lead levels below the EPA’s lead action level of 0.010 mg/L.

Water service lines are separated into two sections, from the water main to the curb is owned by the City, and from the curb to the building is owned by the homeowner.

To identify your service line material, locate the water meter in your basement or the lowest level of your home. Look at the pipe that comes through the outside wall and connects to the water meter. Note the color of the pipe and use the examples shown to determine your service line material.

If your service line is silver, use a magnet to differentiate between lead and galvanized steel pipe. The magnet will stick to galvanized steel but not to lead. If you can, please also take a picture of your service line to upload to the City’s survey form. You can also use an EPA recognized lead test kit purchased at your local hardware or home improvement store or hire a licensed and insured plumber to perform a pipe survey of your home.

Once you have identified your service line material, report your findings using the survey link on this page, or using the form on the City of Bethlehem’s Service Line Inventory map.

To use the map:

• Enter your address or water service account number and click on the magnifier icon. The map will move to the address location and display a pop up of information regarding your water service line “In Private Space” and information on the City owned water line “In Public Space”. Water line material type, installation date, and visual inspection date will be listed within the pop up.
• You can provide information about your service line by clicking on the survey link at the bottom of the pop up.

If your home or business meets the criteria for lead and copper sampling, you could have your address added to the lead and copper sampling list. Lead and copper sampling is free of charge and involves a Water Lab employee dropping off instructions and bottles for you to fill. A Water Lab employee will pick up the filled bottles the next morning. Lead and copper sampling typically occurs every three years with the next event being in 2028.

For more information about our Lead Service Line Program:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Preguntas Frecuentes sobre la Línea de Servicio De Plomo

Thank you for your assistance in identifying the water service line material in your home. Please email Bethlehem Water Lab with any questions about this identification.