NORFOLK, Va. — The City of Norfolk's Utilities Department has released a new tool that will help residents identify where in the city there are lead service lines, the most common way that lead gets into tap water.
The map identifies if there are lead service lines either on the public side that connects to the water main and maintained by the city, or on the private side that connects to the property's plumbing, maintained by the customer. You can just put your address into the search bar on the new map to see if the material of your service lines is known.
Norfolk, as well as all American cities, was required to take an initial inventory by Oct. 16, 2024 of all private and public lead service lines in order to stay in compliance with the revised Lead and Copper Rule, enforced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The rule aims to eradicate lead service lines across the country.
The effects of drinking water tainted with lead can lead to significant, long-term health risks, the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have said.
In children, lead exposure can hinder mental and physical development, damage the brain irreversibly and slow down learning.
In adults, lead exposure can cause increased blood pressure, heart disease, cancer and decreased kidney functions.
The map released by the city will show a few indicators: a blue indicator means your property has service lines that are made of something other than lead; a red indicator means a lead service line is or was known to be on the property; a yellow indicator means the service line is made of galvanized steel and requires replacement; and a gray indicator means the status of the service line is unknown.
Norfolk residents can assist with completing the inventory by self-reporting their service line material here, if it is known.
The inventory process will continue, city officials said, until all service line materials are known. Once the inventory process is complete, Norfolk officials with the Department of Utilities will plan a Lead Service Line Replacement Program, expected to begin construction for its first phase in 2025.
If your service line status is unknown, made of lead or made of galvanized steel, the city will send a letter by mid-November that outlines the next steps to take that they urge you to read carefully.
For any questions, residents should contact the City of Norfolk's Department of Utilities at (757) 664-6700.
