The Metro Water Services Water Service Line Inventory is available in this interactive map: Water Service Line Pipe Material Inventory. Please note that the materials shown are to the best of Metro Water Services' knowledge.
Nashville's water does not contain lead when it leaves our drinking water treatment plants. However, lead can leach into water from corrosion of pipes and plumbing materials containing lead. Metro Water Services balances water chemistry to prevent corrosion and minimize risks and analysis shows that Nashville does not have a lead problem.
Under EPA’s Lead & Copper Rule Improvements water utilities across the country are required to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years, making sure that all communities have safe tap water.
Lead was a popular material for service lines prior to the mid 50's. While many service lines have been replaced over the years, some of them are still lead. Additionally, galvanized service lines that are or were downstream of lead may have collected small particles of lead and require replacement under the new EPA rule.
The MWS Water Service Line Inventory provides material data for the public (water main to meter) and private (water meter to residence/building) portion of water service lines. Compilation of this data included reviewing old records dating back to 1904 as well as new construction records, use of a metal analyzer, and customer reported service line surveys. Please note that the materials shown in the inventory are to the best of Metro Water Services' knowledge.
Metro Water Services notified customers with a service line made of lead or galvanized requiring replacement (GRR) as well as those with unknown pipe material (as of December 2025) in December 2025 by means of the following letters:
Lead pipe material
Galvanized Requiring Replacement (service lines that are or once were downstream of a lead service line or is currently downstream of an unknown service line.)
Unknown pipe material
If your address shows unknown, take this service line inventory survey to help us document the material of your service line. Need guidance? Watch this video to help you locate your service line and determine the pipe material.
Water Services staff and contractors will continue work in neighborhoods utilizing a metal analyzer to identify unknown pipe material. A postcard notification will be sent to property owners prior to inspection of their water service line.
Lead is a naturally occurring metal that is harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Lead can be found in air, soil, dust, food, and water.
MWS regularly tests the water at a selected number of lead service line locations. Customers residing in these homes are made aware of the results and they are also provided to the TN Department of Environment and Conservation, as required.
You can also have your water tested for lead by a certified laboratory. Since you cannot see, taste, or smell lead dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of telling whether there are harmful quantities of lead in your drinking water.
Metro Water Services stopped installing lead pipe in 1955 but insufficient historic record keeping prevents us from knowing an exact number of lead service lines in our system. Lead is replaced when found during repair or other construction activities. A lead pipe is not the only potential source of lead in water. Homes built prior to 1988 with copper plumbing have the possibility of lead solder joints. Additionally, brass fixtures including faucets, valves and couplings can contain lead.
The LCRI requires the replacement of lead service lines and GRR lines under the control of the water system, within 10 years or less. Metro Water Services currently replaces their portion of lead service lines when found during construction or repair activities and will be preparing a more robust replacement plan that meets the 2037 compliance date.
Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney, or nervous system problems.
Along with education and partial service line replacement, MWS has a successful corrosion control program. Since 1987, a blended food-grade phosphate solution, safe for drinking water, has been added to the finished water. This solution bonds to pipes, forming a protective barrier to prevent the water from picking up particles of lead that may be present in lead pipes or soldering.
In response to the strengthened Lead and Copper rules, Metro Water Services began the P.I.P.E. Program. P.I.P.E. stands for Prevent, Inform, Protect, and Eliminate. We prevent metals from leaching into water by properly balancing water chemistry. We inform our community through our website and service line inventory. We protect health with extensive sampling in the community and at schools and day cares. We will eliminate the risk with the removal of lead service lines.
This notice does not indicate an imminent health threat. It was mailed to inform customers of the presence of lead or galvanized water service lines (or possible presence, if pipe material is unknown) so additional precautions can be taken to prevent lead exposure. Metro Water Services has had a successful corrosion control program since 1987 which forms a barrier between the pipe and water to prevent possible leaching and will continue this program.
If you’re concerned your home plumbing may contain lead pipes (lead is a dull gray metal that is soft enough to be easily scratched with a house key) or if you see signs of corrosion (frequent leaks, rust-colored water), you may want to have your water tested by a state-certified laboratory. Testing is the only way to confirm if lead is present or absent. For more information on testing your water, you can call Metro Water Services at 615-862-4600 or contact a private certified laboratory.
the actual cost of replacement reflects a number of factors including the length of the service line, the technique used to install the new service line, and the built environment where the service line is located.
GRR stands for Galvanized Requiring Replacement. These are service lines that are or ever were downstream of a lead service line or is currently downstream of an unknown service line.
