Local guide / York, PA
Lead Service Lines in York, PA: How to Check Yours
York Water is asking every customer what their service line is made of. If yours turns out to be lead, the company says it will replace it at no cost to you. Here is how to find out.
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Why York Water is asking
A federal rule now requires regulated water utilities, including The York Water Company, to build an inventory of the material in every service line. York Water started asking customers about their lines back in 2016, with the goal of replacing all lead service lines in its system.
The company serves more than 78,000 customers across York, Adams, Franklin and Lancaster counties. It has records for its own pipes. What it does not have are records for the customer side of the service line, the part that runs onto your property. That is the gap they are asking homeowners to fill.
Which part of the line is yours
A water service line has two pieces.
- The utility side runs from the water main in the street to the curb stop. York Water owns that part.
- The customer side runs from the curb stop to your house. You own that part.
Ownership matters for repairs, but on lead York Water has made a clear promise: if your service line material is lead, the company will replace it at no cost to you. York Water also says it warranties its service line replacement work for 24 months from the date of replacement, with its liability limited to the cost of repairing or replacing the customer-owned line.
Found old pipe at your York meter? Call to reach a local plumber.
Call (717) 402-9746The 10 minute check at your meter
York Water's customer letter says the check should take about 10 minutes. You need a key or a coin and a strong refrigerator magnet.
- Find your water meter. In most York homes it is in the basement, though some sit in a meter pit outside. Look at the pipe coming into the meter from the curb or the outside wall.
- Look at the color first. Copper or bronze, maybe with some green tarnish, is likely copper. White is likely plastic. If it is one of those, you can skip to step 4.
- Scratch it gently with the key or coin. If it is painted, scrape a little paint off first. Do not use a knife, and do not dig hard enough to make a hole. If the metal scratches easily and turns shiny silver, it may be lead or galvanized steel.
- Put the magnet on it. If the magnet sticks, the pipe is galvanized steel. If it does not stick, the pipe is likely lead.
- Report what you found through the York Water Service Line Inventory Survey on the company website.
If you cannot tell what you are looking at, or you cannot get online, York Water asks you to email [email protected] or call 717-845-3601. The company notes that identifying the line yourself can save extra appointments, and possibly digging in your yard.
Why it is worth the trouble
The EPA says lead service lines, where they exist, are typically the most significant source of lead in a home's water. Lead pipes are more likely to show up in older cities and in homes built before 1986, which describes a lot of York's row houses and older neighborhoods.
The EPA has set its health goal for lead in drinking water at zero, because lead can be harmful even at low exposure levels. Young children, infants and pregnant women are the most vulnerable. If you have small kids in an older house, this is a check worth doing this week rather than someday.
What a plumber can help with
York Water handles the lead line replacement itself. A plumber is useful for the other questions that come up once you start looking:
- Your meter area is cramped or the pipe is wrapped and you cannot get a clean look
- The service line checks out fine but you have old galvanized pipe inside the house
- You find a leak, a weeping joint or a corroded valve while you are down there
- You want inside plumbing changed after the service line work is done
Even homes without a lead service line can have lead in brass fixtures or old solder, according to the EPA, so the plumbing inside the walls is worth a look in an older house.
Sources
Where these facts come from
Checked 2026-10-31. Rules and phone numbers change, so confirm with the source before you rely on them.
Services
Plumbing Help in York
Emergency Plumbing
Burst pipes, flooded basements, sewer backups and no water. Any hour.
Get help →EmergencyBurst & Frozen Pipe Repair
Split pipes after a freeze, leaks in walls and ceilings.
Get help →EmergencySump Pump Repair & Replacement
Pump not running, running nonstop or basement taking on water.
Get help →UrgentSewer Line Repair & Camera Inspection
Backups, roots in the line and cracked clay or cast iron pipe.
Get help →UrgentDrain Cleaning
Clogged kitchen, bath and basement drains cleared fast.
Get help →UrgentWater Heater Repair & Replacement
No hot water, leaking tanks, gas and electric units.
Get help →UrgentWater Line Repair & Repiping
Main water line leaks, low pressure and old galvanized pipe.
Get help →Plan aheadToilet & Faucet Repair
Running toilets, overflows, leaky faucets and new fixtures.
Get help →More guides
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Frozen Pipes: Who Owns Which Pipe
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Read the guide →Plumbing Permits and Licenses
Pennsylvania leaves a lot of plumbing rules to each municipality, so the answer to "do I need a permit?" depends on which side of a township line you live on.
Read the guide →York Water Hardness Explained
White crust on the shower head, spots on glasses, a kettle that gets chalky inside. If you are on York Water, here is how hard your water actually is and what is worth doing about it.
Read the guide →Call any time
Questions About Old Pipes in York?
Call to reach a local York County plumber who can look at your service line, meter area and inside plumbing.