Help Us Identify Your Water Service Line Material

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Required Survey

We need help in identifying your water service line material. This is a part of a requirement of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In accordance with the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule, all communities across the country need to prepare a comprehensive water service line material inventory and report their findings to the EPA and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 

In Cedar Falls, as well as many communities, customers own the water service line in their home. Your water service line is the pipe that brings water from the water main into your home. This line can typically be found in the basement along the wall that faces the street. CFU needs your help in identifying the material of your water service line to create a complete picture of our system.

Water service lines today are made from copper or plastic piping. In houses that were built before 1988, it is possible water service lines were constructed using galvanized steel or lead piping. 

If there is lead in your water service line, corrosive water could cause lead to leach out into drinking water. CFU does not believe we have any lead water service lines in our community.

CFU conducts thorough testing across our system. Our water surpasses all federal and state quality standards and no immediate action is necessary. CFU water is non-corrosive and of a PH that if any lead exists in customer owned service lines, it should not impact the water quality. 

How to Determine Water Service Line Material

Follow the steps below to quickly identify the material of your water service line. Once you have identified the material, please submit your information to CFU by using this form. 

 

Learn how to quickly identify the material of your water service line in this short video. You will need a strong magnet and a penny or flathead screwdriver. 

Once you have identified the material, please pass along your findings by completing this short form that will help us create an accurate inventory of all lines in our community.

 

Locate Your Water Service Line 

Water service lines can typically be found in the basement of your home along the wall that faces the street. You will want to identify the material that is used in the pipe coming into your wall or from the floor, before any valves or meters. 

If the material of your water service line is obviously copper or plastic upon visual inspection, no further testing is needed. You can submit your findings using this form.

It is more difficult to differentiate between lead, galvanized steel or aged copper. Further testing will be required.

Magnet Test 

The first test in identifying your water service line material is the magnet test. Use a strong magnet and try sticking it to your pipe. A magnet will only stick to galvanized steel piping. It will not stick to copper, plastic or lead piping.  

If the magnet sticks, you have identified your water line as galvanized steel. Please let us know this information by submitting our short form here. 

Scratch Test 

If the magnet did not stick, further testing is needed. The next step will be the scratch test. Using a penny or flathead screwdriver, gently scratch a small area of the pipe. If the scratched area is copper in color, like the penny, your service line is made from copper. If the scratched area is silver in color, your service line is made from lead.  

Submit Your Results

Please pass along your findings by completing this short form to help us create an accurate inventory of all lines in our community. 

Submit Findings

 

If you need assistance in determining the material of your water service line, please contact CFU Water Services at 319-268-5332.

Next Steps

If lead is found in water service lines, a replacement program will be created. It is important to note that CFU conducts thorough testing across our system and our water surpasses all federal and state quality standards so no immediate action is necessary. More information will be available once the complete inventory can be created.