Identifying private service line material

IDENTIFYING YOUR PRIVATE SERVICE LINE MATERIAL

To ensure the success of our Lead Service Line Inventory program, the City is taking multiple measures to identify all of the water service lines in our system. This includes asking customers to self-identify the private service lines on their property, where applicable.

What to Know

Private water service lines are installed by a builder or contractor either when a neighborhood is built, or when a service line may need repair or replacement. Private service lines are the responsibility of the individual property owner.

As the City is not able to inspect every private water service line, customers are asked to use our Service Line Self-Reporting Tool to help ensure our inventory is accurate. Some property owners may have historical or construction records that provide information about the service line material type. In other instances, property owners may need to use a licensed plumber to assist with line identification. The City cannot recommend or endorse specific plumbers or plumbing companies.

Water Service Line Material Types

Most water service lines are made up of one of four different materials (see photos and descriptions below). You can look at how these materials appear "new," and then once they have been in the ground for a long time.

A photo graphic showing what servlce line types look like when under the ground, covered in mud and water. Lines include lead, copper, iron and plastic/PVC.

LEAD: A dull gray or silver pipe that can be easily scratched with a coin or key. Scratching leaves a shiny silver color. Magnets WILL NOT stick to lead pipes. Lead pipes are bendable and commonly have a "bulb."

COPPER: Brown-colored pipe that can be easily scratched with a coin or key. Scratching leaves a copper color. Magnets WILL NOT stick to copper pipes.

IRON: A dull, silver or black-colored pipe that is hard to scratch with a coin or key. Scratching leaves a dull gray color. A magnet WILL stick to a galvanized or iron pipe.

PLASTIC (PVC or PEX): Generally white, black or blue piping. This type of piping may be rigid, but newer PEX piping may be flexible. A magnet WILL NOT stick to plastic (PVC/PEX) pipes.

If you are able to identify your line, please make sure to update your information in our online Self-Reporting Tool.

Still have questions? Email us at leadsafe@okc.gov, or call the Utilities Environmental Laboratory at (405) 297-3056.