Is your water service line lead? A two-minute check
Saint Paul has many homes old enough to have a lead service line. Here is how to check the pipe yourself with a magnet and a coin.
A strong fridge magnet, a coin or key, and a flashlight.
Run the two-minute check
Find the water pipe where it comes through the basement wall, before the meter. Two simple tests tell you what it is made of. It takes two minutes and a fridge magnet.
1. Does a strong magnet stick to the pipe?
2. Scratch it gently with a coin or key. What shows?
Answer both questions
Pick an answer for the magnet and the scratch. The pipe drawing changes color as you go.
About lead service line replacementWhere to look
Go to the basement wall on the street side of the house and find where the water line comes through, usually near the water meter. Test the stretch of pipe between the wall and the meter's first valve.
Why it matters in Saint Paul
Lead service lines were common in older Twin Cities homes, and Saint Paul Regional Water Services has been working to replace them across its system. The private part of the line, from the property line into the house, is usually the homeowner's responsibility.
What we do if it is lead
We confirm the material, explain the replacement options, coordinate with the utility side when needed, and price the private side of the line. See lead service line replacement for the full job.
Questions about the service line check
Is it safe to scratch my water service pipe for the lead check?
A light scratch with a coin or the flat of a key on the pipe surface is safe. Do not cut, file or sand it, and wash your hands afterward. Scratch the pipe between the wall and the meter, not the meter or its fittings.
What if the service line check says my pipe is lead?
Use a filter rated to remove lead for drinking and cooking water, run the cold tap until it turns cold before using it, and check Saint Paul Regional Water Services replacement options for the public side. Call us to price the private side.
Can a house have lead even if the basement pipe is copper?
Yes. Some lines are copper inside the house and lead or galvanized under the yard, and older homes can have lead solder on copper joints. The check covers what you can see; a plumber can confirm the rest.
Call the Saint Paul office, day or night
A real person picks up at any hour. Tell us what you are seeing, and we will tell you what happens next and roughly what it costs.
(651) 215-2087- Phone
- Answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Office
- 289 E 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101
- Headquarters
- 50666 229th Ave, Bemidji, MN 56601
- Coverage
- Saint Paul and the east metro, see all areas