The Federal Government, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is requiring all drinking water systems to inventory their water service line material to identify where lead pipes exist.

While lead is cheap to mine and produce and was used in many products including paint, gasoline, and pipes for many years, it has now been proven harmful to humans, especially children. Lead can permanently affect the brain, bones, kidneys, and heart. Lead poisoning impacts on children include lower IQs, learning disabilities, attention deficit and hyperactivity and other behavioral issues, impaired hearing, anemia, and decreased growth.

The EPA has determined that no amount of lead in water is safe.

Our inventory began in 2024, and so far we have identified the material for about 60% of the service lines in Carlisle. However, as of October 2024, we still need to identify around 2,800 more.

You can help! Visit www.carlislepa.org/servicematerial to view our interactive map and see if your property is listed as “unknown.” If it is, follow the instructions to submit your information today.

The following video walks you through the process of identifying your water service line material.

Commonly Asked Questions

A water service line is the pipe that connects the main water line in the street to a building. The Borough owns the section from the water main to the curb. The section from the curb to the building belongs to the property owner.water service line diagram
The responsibility for service line replacements will likely require coordination between the Borough and affected property owners, as the Borough is responsible for service lines from the main to the curb stop, and property owners are responsible for service lines from the curb stop into a business or home.  While our priority is completing the service line inventory, the Borough is exploring opportunities for financial assistance options for lead and galvanized service line replacements.
If your property still shows as “unknown,” it’s likely because no photo of your service line was included with the survey. The photo is required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as proof of the material.
Please call us at 717-240-1238 to confirm we received your information and have enough evidence to identify the material. If everything is complete, your information is in the queue and will be added to the map soon.
New federal regulations require annual notifications of service lines that are made of lead, galvanized, or unknown material. Customers will continue receiving annual notifications if they meet these notice requirements, and each year, the Borough must document to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that notifications were sent.
Yes! Please call us at 717-240-1238, and our staff can assist over the phone or even visit your property to document your service line material.

If you’ve recently replaced your service line, please submit a photo of the new line so we can update our inventory.

*Please note:

  • The service line and the interior water lines are separate.
  • The service line is before the water meter.
  • The interior lines are after the water meter.
  • If you’ve only replaced your interior lines, you may still have a service line that needs to be replaced.
The best way to remove risks of lead in water is to completely replace all sources of lead, but there are also several other steps you can take to help reduce or eliminate your exposure to lead if your home or business has lead or galvanized pipes.
  1. Run the tap before use. Lead levels are likely at their highest when the water has been sitting in the service line or plumbing for several hours. Flush this water from your system by running the cold water for several minutes, which allows you to draw fresh water from the water main. Other household/non-potable water usage activities, such as washing clothes, showering, flushing the toilet, and running the dishwasher, also help flush the system.
  2. Clean Aerators. Aerators are small attachments at the tips of faucets that regulate the flow of water. They can accumulate small particles of lead and other debris in the screens. It's recommended to repeat this procedure every few weeks to prevent build-up.
  3. Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Using cold water can reduce your exposure to lead in the water as hot water dissolves lead in pipes more quickly if it is present.
  4. Filter the water. Lead is not present in the water the Borough supplies to the distribution system. If you want another preventative measure for the plumbing inside your home, you can purchase a water filter that is certified to remove lead from your water. NSF International created a Consumer Guide to NSF Certified Lead Filtration Devices for Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water. For more information, visit www.nsf.org/info/leadfiltrationguide. Always consult the device manufacturer for information on treatment device maintenance and potential impacts to your drinking water or household plumbing. The EPA also offers information on identifying drinking water filters. These filters should be used for water that will be used for drinking and cooking.

The Borough tests for lead at the end of its treatment process.  Our testing has shown that lead is not an issue in the water exiting any of our water treatment facilities. We also conduct tests in our distribution system in accordance with the EPA's regulatory requirements.  In addition, we take steps to reduce the potential for lead leaching into the water from service lines and household pipes by managing the pH levels in the water leaving our treatment facilities and adding a corrosion inhibitor where needed. 

You may still have lead in your drinking water if your service line, household plumbing or fixtures contain lead. Homes built before 1930 are more likely to have lead plumbing systems. Lead pipes are dull grey in color and scratch easily, revealing a shiny surface.

If your house was built before January 1986, you are more likely to have lead-soldered joints on copper piping. Lead solder is a silver or grey color. If you do, the chance of the lead leaching into your drinking water is greater when water has been standing in the pipes for more than 6 hours.  Since you cannot see, taste, or smell lead dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of knowing if your water contains lead.

The Borough is required to test for lead in the public distribution system, but does not generally provide lead testing for individual customers; however, customers can choose to have their water tested at their cost at a certified laboratory.
Galvanized service lines are steel pipes that have been dipped in a protective zinc coating to prevent corrosion and rust. Galvanized piping was commonly installed in homes built before 1960 and was used as an alternative to lead pipes for water supply lines. Galvanized lines that are or were downstream of a lead source, such as a lead service line, can contribute to lead in drinking water. They may also capture lead from upstream lead sources and release lead if water quality changes or the pipe is disturbed.
Yes, if you have access to your water service line where it enters the property, you can submit the completed survey for your service line.  If you are part of a multi-unit facility, the service line that needs to be identified is the main line or lines entering the building.  Call Borough staff for assistance if you need it.