Your water service line is likely galvanized steel

Galvanized steel plumbing was installed in many homes before the 1960s and has the following characteristics:

• Difficult to scratch and dull in color
• Magnet sticks

Galvanized steel doesn’t pose a significant risk for lead unless it is downstream from lead pipes. If corroded galvanized steel pipes are connected to lead plumbing, they can trap bits of the metal on the inside surface. The steel plumbing can periodically release those bits of lead, even after lead plumbing is removed.

There’s still a chance you could have lead solder or fittings somewhere in your plumbing.

• Charlotte Water can test the water from your home upon request to determine if there is lead in your water. Call 311 to request a sample kit and receive further instructions.
• Click here to learn about using a water filter certified to remove lead