Missouri American Water has a lead service line replacement program and we here at Kokesh Plumbing think you should know about it. Missouri American water has voluntarily pledged to replace all lead/ galvanized service lines in their service areas by 2030. In order to provide us with the safest, most reliable water service, they need to hear from us! You can do your part by accessing the Missouri American Water website and find learning more! If you find that your service line is lead or galvanized steel, then MAW will work with you to replace it at no direct cost to you.
How do I find out if I have a lead/galvanized steel line?
Galvanized: A dull, silver-gray color. Use a magnet – strong magnets will typically cling to galvanized pipes
Copper: The color of a copper penny.
Plastic: Usually white, rigid pipe that is jointed to water supply piping with a clamp. Note: It can be other colors, including blue and black.
Lead: A dull, silver-gray color that is easily scratched with a coin. Use a magnet – strong magnets will NOT cling to lead pipes.
Lead service lines are typically found in homes that were built prior to 1930. Between 1930 and 1965, the plumbing industry moved away from lead and typically installed copper service lines. If you feel like your older home might have a lead/galvanized service line, there is a quick way of determining if that is true:
YOU WILL NEED: Key or coin and a strong magnet
WHAT TO DO:
- Locate the service line pipe as it enters your home from an exterior wall or floor.
- If the pipe is a dull, silver-gray color, carefully scratch the pipe (like you would a lottery ticket) with a key or coin. Take care not to make a hole in the pipe. If the scratch turns a shiny silver color, it could be lead or galvanized steel.
- Place the strong magnet on the pipe. If a magnet sticks, it is a galvanized steel pipe.
- Wash hands after inspecting pipe.
OTHER WAYS TO CHECK FOR LEAD
- Kokesh Plumbing can inspect your pipes and plumbing, please give us a call at 636-391-1233 to set up an appointment.
- Lead test kits can be purchased at local hardware or home improvement stores. These kits are used to test paint, but can also be used to test pipe—not the water inside. Look for an EPA recognized kit. Wash your hands after inspecting plumbing and pipes.
