Water Service Line Inventory
If you have a Lead Service Line
Having a service line that is made of lead may pose a health hazard. See this link for the health effects of lead. However, having a lead service line does not mean that water to your home or business has a high level of lead. Drinking water is lead free in the distribution system and prior to entering your individual water service pipes. Knowing that some buildings may have older service lines or older interior plumbing pipes and fixtures, KC Water treats the water with lime softening and phosphates to prevent metals from leaching into the drinking water.
In 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed national regulations that significantly reduced the percentage of lead that is allowable in plumbing fixtures. Today, plumbing fixtures are essentially lead-free.
Some older homes and businesses may have water service lines made of lead, and historically, lead may have been included in metal alloys used to make plumbing fittings and fixtures (such as brass valves). Lead is generally a low percentage in the metal, but it can enter the drinking water if plumbing materials, service lines, pipes or solder in your home’s own plumbing become corroded.
→ Click here for steps you can take to reduce lead in your drinking water.
If you have a lead service line and decide to replace it, KC Water is required to replace our portion of a lead service line when you notify us you are replacing your portion of a lead service line. Replacement of both portions of the service line should be performed at the same time to avoid additional water service disruption and disturbance of lead in service line materials.
Currently, public funds are not available to help property owners replace private property service lines. If this changes, updates and information will be added to this web site.
If you have a Galvanized Service Line
Galvanized pipes – steel pipes dipped into a protective coating to prevent corrosion – were also installed in some service lines. Galvanized lines that are or were downstream of a lead source such as a lead service line can capture lead from upstream lead sources and release lead if water quality changes or these pipes are disturbed.
See this link for the health effects of lead. However, having a galvanized service line does not necessarily mean that water to your home or business has high levels of lead. Drinking water is lead free in the distribution system and prior to entering your individual water service pipes. Knowing that some buildings may have older service lines or older interior plumbing pipes and fixtures, KC Water treats the water with lime softening and phosphates to prevent metals from leaching into the drinking water.
→ Click here for steps you can take to reduce lead in your drinking water.
Currently, public funds are not available to help property owners replace private property service lines. If this changes, updates and information will be added to this web site.
If you have an Unknown Service Line
If your service line is classified as unknown that means the City does not have a record of the line material. It could potentially be made of lead. See this link for the health effects of lead.
→ Click here for steps you can take to reduce lead in your drinking water.
Over the next several years, KC Water will identify unknown service lines across the entire City. As more service lines are identified the online map will be updated.
If you want to inspect the service line in your building, see the links below for instructions on how to identify your water service line material from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).
How to Identify your Service Line Material
- Identifying Lead Water Service Lines (MDNR)
- How to Identify your Water Service Line Material (MDNR)
- Do you have a Lead Service Line? (MDNR)
- Quick guide to determining your service line material (Missouri American Water)
Kansas City’s High Water-Quality Standards
A dedicated team of licensed professionals and a certified laboratory continuously monitor and perform extensive laboratory testing of the drinking water supplied throughout Kansas City. Sampling happens on a daily, monthly, and annual basis to ensure safe drinking water.
KC Water works to ensure that drinking water meets state and federal safety requirements, as well as the high water-quality standards established by KC Water on behalf of our customers.
- Annual Water Quality Reports (KC Water)
- Important Steps You Can Take to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water (EPA)
- For Tips to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water (KC Water)