Service Line Inventory

Our records show that the pipe that connects your home or building to the water main is made from unknown materials. This does not mean there is a lead pipe at your home. It simply means Tucson Water must confirm the pipe material as part of the federal inventory. 

Tucson Water crews are conducting inspections throughout our service area to document the material of currently unknown pipes. These results will be entered into our service line inventory.

You do not need to take any additional steps at this time. 

Example of the Unknown Material Notice(PDF, 784KB)

Our records show that the water service line connected to your property may be made of galvanized steel, a material the EPA requires utilities to verify. This does not mean there is a lead pipe at your home. It simply means Tucson Water must confirm the pipe material as part of the federal inventory.

Tucson Water crews are conducting inspections to confirm your pipe materials and update our online inventory. You do not need to take any additional steps at this time.

If inspections confirm that your service line is galvanized steel and requires replacement, Tucson Water will contact you to schedule work at no cost to you.

Example of the Galvanized Steel Notice(PDF, 798KB)

If you received this notice, Tucson Water’s records do not currently show your water service line material, which means it is “unknown.” Your water service line is the pipe that connects your home or business to the water main.

Our crews are conducting inspections to identify your pipe materials and update our online inventory. You do not need to take any additional steps after receiving this notice. If additional steps are required, we will reach out with more information.

When our crews inspect your service line, they will leave a doorhanger with the results of the inspection. These results will also be added to our inventory.

If you received this notice, Tucson Water’s records currently show your water service line material is made of galvanized steel. Your water service line is the pipe that connects your home or business to the water main.

Our crews are conducting inspections to confirm your pipe materials and update our online inventory. You do not need to take any additional steps at this time. 

When our crews inspect your service line, they will leave a doorhanger with the results of the inspection. These results will also be added to our inventory. 

If our inspections confirm your service line is galvanized steel requiring replacement, we will reach out and replace it at no cost to you.

Tucson Water is using property records and field inspections to regularly update our water service line inventory. This is part of Tucson Water’s commitment to deliver safe, reliable water.

As part of our inventory program, we are inspecting the type of pipe material that carries water to your home or building. The results of our inspections help us determine if your water pipes need to be replaced.

If you have any questions about water service line replacement, or if you plan to replace your portion of the water service line, please contact Tucson Water at leadcopperruleinquiries@tucsonaz.gov or 520-791-5945, option 3.

Tucson Water is using property records and field inspections to regularly update our water service line inventory. If inspections confirm your water service line requires replacement, Tucson Water will reach out with next steps and replace it at no cost to you.

If you have any questions about water service line replacement, or if you plan to replace your portion of the water service line, please contact Tucson Water at leadcopperruleinquiries@tucsonaz.gov or 520-791-5945, option 3.

Water service lines from the water meter to your home are the responsibility of the property owner. Water service lines from the water meter to the water main are the responsibility of Tucson Water. Due to federal regulatory changes, Tucson Water must determine the pipe material of all water service lines on both sides of the meter. Tucson Water will replace water service lines from the meter to your home found to contain lead. Lead service lines are rare in Tucson. 

If inspections confirm your service line requires replacement, Tucson Water will reach out with next steps and replace it at no cost to you.

If you have any questions about water service line replacement, or if you plan to replace your portion of the water service line, please contact Tucson Water at leadcopperruleinquiries@tucsonaz.gov or 520-791-5945, option 3.

Yes.

View the most recent Consumer Confidence Report.

Yes.

View the most recent Consumer Confidence Report.

In December 2021, the EPA updated drinking water standards outlined in the Lead and Copper Rule – a regulation that has been in place since the 1990s. This update is commonly referred to as the LCRR. 

This rule also enhances the importance of educating the public, especially schools and childcare facilities, on the sources and health effects of lead. 

Part of this rule is the development and publication of an inventory that records all service line materials on both sides of the water meter in public water utilities’ service areas. 

Other requirements include standards for notifying the public of elevated lead levels in water systems, developing a lead service line replacement program, developing focused lead and copper monitoring plans for schools and licensed childcare facilities, and developing and implementing a public outreach and communication plan.

Lead is a clear and tasteless toxic metal naturally found in the environment.

Prior to 1986 lead was used for water service lines, and household plumbing and fixtures. In 1986 the EPA banned the use of lead for water service lines, household plumbing, and fixtures. Lead is commonly found in paint, jewelry, old furniture, old toys, pottery, recalled food, and makeup products. Learn more from the EPA on how to protect your family from sources of lead.

The EPA has required public water systems to monitor both lead and copper levels in drinking water since 1991. Like lead, copper is a metal and chemical element that occurs naturally in the environment. Copper is used in electrical wiring and plumbing materials. Copper is a necessary micronutrient and is needed in small amounts for good health, but too much copper in the diet or in drinking water may cause harmful health effects. At elevated levels, ingesting, inhaling, and touching copper may cause nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Long term exposure to copper can lead to kidney and liver problems and anemia.

Lead can be found in other common products in your home such as paint, toys, pottery, cosmetics, food, candy, and more. Finding lead in the water systems today is very rare. Learn more from the EPA on how to protect your family from sources of lead. The safe and reliable water Tucson Water sends to you every day from our treatment plants is lead free. As that water travels through pipes on our side of the system to private plumbing on your side, that's where the risk of lead exposure could occur.

Since 1999, Tucson Water has proactively identified, removed, and replaced lead service lines, or pipes, that deliver water to the water meters from the main distribution line throughout the Tucson community. In 2016, the Get The Lead Out (GTLO) program was created to find and replace remaining lead service lines. Tucson Water regularly monitors for lead and copper at over 100 locations and reports the results in the annual water quality report.

While finding lead in the Tucson Water system is highly unlikely, here are steps you can take to reduce your risk of exposure:

• Use water filters. If you use a filter, make sure you use a filter certified to remove lead.
• Flush your taps by running the water for at least 15-30 seconds before drinking or cooking. Up to four minutes is recommended.
• Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula. Boiling water does not remove lead.
• Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator).
• Have your water tested.

Learn more from the EPA on steps you can take to reduce lead in drinking water.

The water delivered to your home by Tucson Water is and always has been lead free. We regularly monitor for lead and copper at over 80 locations and report the results in the annual water quality report. 

If you would like to have your water tested, you can contact a water quality laboratory for more information. See the list of Arizona Certified Commercial Drinking Water Laboratories to find a lab licensed by the Office of Laboratory Services.