Support Us Button Widget

Help get the lead out of water service lines in Winston-Salem

Utilities crews need your help to identify and replace potentially dangerous water lines.

WStoday_lead pipes

Lead service lines (far left) are generally a dull gray color, very soft, and can easily be scratched with a house key or coin.

Photo courtesy of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities

Efforts are underway to replace lead pipes in the US over the next decade. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities is urging homeowners and commercial customers to “help get the lead out” by first identifying service lines.

Utilities staff can’t enter your private property to take care of the task themselves, so self-reporting the kind of water lines you have is essential to finding potentially dangerous pipes.

What you’ll need

  • Your smartphone or tablet
  • A flashlight
  • A magnet
  • A key or coin

The customer service line inventory will walk you through the process, which starts with locating your shutoff valve. Snapping a photo and uploading it is an important part of the process. If you find potential lead pipes, it will also walk you through next steps. It should take less than 15 minutes.

If the service line material at an address is not entered in the local database, it will be listed as “unknown” and considered as lead. Additional efforts later on will cost the city time and money.

More from WStoday
The annual event is a chance for everyone to catch up on health care checks.
Fans of all things freaky will want to read these three urban legends in the Twin City — and we’re not skimping on the scares.
The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Buildings 82 and 83 in Winston-Salem were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Make the most of good weather by taking your meals al fresco on one of Winston-Salem’s many beautiful patios.
If you recently retired and are looking for things to do, this guide will help you make the most of retirement in Winston-Salem.
The neo-gospel singer will reunite for with her group for a special concert in Winston-Salem.
We rounded up a list of local joints serving meals late so you don’t go to bed hungry.
Maybe it’s the cozy weather or the colorful scenery in the Twin City. All we know is that the vibes are right.
Explore the Twin City through its history, food, drink, and art on these tours.
The Winston-Salem Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is collecting data from the public to guide project priorities.